I don't know what's causing this, but it's been happening ever since we were able to make our own large maps. I have a 20x20 map that I made. I'm also playing with my custom race/sov (I dont see how that would matter). But anyways, it seems to spawn a CRAP load of notable locations right around the cities. I took this screenshot when I cleared out a good 50-100 of them. There also seemed to be locations on top of locations. I would get to the tile, and I would get 100 gildar, a book of experience, and a sword.

As you can see, it's pretty ridiculous. Although it doesn't seem to be ALL over the map, but mainly near the cities.

Performance has been GREATLY improved. I can actually play a large map with 10-12 other factions, and it hasn't been slowing down. Well, not like it did in previous versions. Keep up the good work!

One thing I did notice however, is that the AI seems to be very...boring. In other versions (I've been playing on normal), by turn 150-200, the other factions would have decent sized armies going (combat rating of around 100 or so). Now, I haven't seem an AI army that big. They just seem to sit there and not do much. I know I'm just playin on normal, but still...there should be SOME challenge.