Create your own world. Raise islands and continents above the sea level, cover them with high mountains, fertile valleys, and clear lakes. Populate the world with civilizations from nomadic groups to developed nations.
Set all map parameters as well as the initial level of development to your liking. You can define how equitably the resources will be distributed and how (dis)advantaged your starting position will be.
Give yourself a head start and learn the game at your own pace, or challenge yourself and make the game a fight for survival.