MMO tester here, map is massive, huge. Only part of the map I'd say stay away from is the FAR northern islands. There is nothing there, just snow, that's it. That may change in the future, but they were basically arctic islands when I scouted them out.
Anything below those islands is pretty good though. Be warned, the great forest that borders the midlands from the north is thick, really thick. I predict lots of savages in those woods
We had over 100 in the starter cell back in the day, was no problem. The mmo is built for thousands of players from my understanding. LIF:YO was only built for a handful.