What is the starting bias for different factions?

The starting bias is the setting (you can disable it in game set up) which allows your civilization to have a starting point similar to its original historical location. Like for instance if you play for ottomans you would start in a desert or if you play for iroquois you would start in a forest. So what is this bias for other factions?

Also, how does it work, is the part of the map generated specifically for a certain civilization, or is it generated randomly and then the best fitting spots found?

This is based on the comments and data inside the XML file (Assets/Gameplay/XML/Civilizations/CIV5Civilizations.xml).

The start bias just chooses the location on the map, it does not influence map generation itself.

There are 4 different start bias categories, a civilization can only belong in one category:

• Start along Ocean
• Start along River
• Start in specific Region
• Avoid specific Region

The start biases for the specific civilizations are the following:

Civilization    Start bias
---------------------------------------
England         Ocean
Ottoman         Ocean
Arabia          Desert
Aztec           Jungle
India           Grass
Iroquois        Forest
Russia          Tundra
Egypt           Avoid Jungle and Forest
Siam            Avoid Forest
Songhai         Avoid Tundra

DLC Civ         Start bias
---------------------------------------
Mongolia        Plains
Spain           Ocean
Inca            Hills
Polynesia       Ocean