Location from Plague Inc. by Ndemic Creations
The starting hub — a densely populated superpower with massive international connections, where more pandemics begin than anywhere else on the map.
China is the most popular starting country in Plague Inc. for straightforward strategic reasons: massive population (1.4 billion potential hosts), extensive international air and sea connections, land borders with multiple countries, and a climate range that spans tropical to temperate. A pathogen that starts in China has maximum transmission options from turn one. The dense urban populations along the eastern seaboard provide rapid early infection growth, generating DNA points quickly. Air routes connect to virtually every continent. Shipping lanes reach Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. Land borders feed into Central Asia and Russia. Starting in China is like starting in the center of a spider web — everything is reachable. The downside is healthcare quality. China's medical infrastructure contributes meaningfully to cure research once the disease is detected. A high-profile outbreak in China triggers faster global response than one in a lower-profile country.
A vast red-tinted landmass dominating the eastern portion of the world map, bristling with airport and seaport icons. Dense population clusters glow along the coast. Land borders connect to Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Russia. It looks like what it is: a launching pad.
Also known as: PRC, People's Republic