Natural resources in Cities: Skylines explained
What forestry, fertile land, ore, oil and water do on a map, and which maps have the most of each.
Every Cities: Skylines map has natural resources hidden in the terrain. On each map page we show them as a share of the whole map area, with a rank against all other maps. Here is what each resource is for.
Fertile land
Fertile land is where agriculture can work. A farming industry district placed on fertile land produces crops for your industry and export trade. Maps with a lot of fertile land are a good fit for rural or farm-based economies. The richest maps are:
- Meandering River 19.8%
- Mountain Meadows 16.2%
- Farmland Flats 16.1%
- Northwood Hills 12.8%
- Biomes Valley 12%
Forestry
Forests supply a forestry industry district. They also make a city look greener and more natural. Maps with big forests are good for lumber economies and scenic builds:
- Honu Island 33.3%
- Cavern Coast 30.1%
- Seven Lakes 29.3%
- Lagoon Shore 29.2%
- Two Rivers 29.2%
Ore
Ore deposits allow an ore industry district, usually placed near a highway or rail link so that raw ore can be moved out. The maps with the biggest ore deposits:
- Desert Pass 25%
- Marble Canyon 17.3%
- Farmland Flats 14.5%
- Asanu Beach 12%
- Crater Falls 12%
Oil
Oil deposits allow an oil industry district. Like ore, you will want strong transport links nearby. The maps with the biggest oil deposits:
- Desert Pass 35.9%
- Twin Fjords 11.9%
- Biomes Valley 11.3%
- Farmland Flats 11.1%
- Honu Island 10.7%
Water
Water shows how much of the map is covered by water. Large water areas give you waterfront building land, room for harbours and, on maps with shipping channels, trade routes by sea. The maps with the most water:
- The Archipelago 76.5%
- Fisher Enclave 49.8%
- Honu Island 48.5%
- Roslyn Peninsula 40.9%
- Shady Strands 38.5%
How to use this when choosing a map
- Decide whether you want a specialised industry. If so, pick a map with plenty of that resource.
- Resources are fixed in the terrain, so a district only works where the resource is. Check the map screenshots on each map page and plan your districts around the deposits.
- Remember that resources are only one factor. Buildable land and outside connections matter just as much; see how to choose a map.
Browse every ranking on the rankings page.
More guides
How to choose a Cities: Skylines map
The five things that really matter when picking a map: buildable land, natural resources, outside connections, milestones and climate.
Cities: Skylines milestones guide
What milestones are, why the population targets change from map to map, and which maps reach Megalopolis fastest.
Outside connections in Cities: Skylines explained
How highway, rail, shipping and air connections work, why they matter, and which maps have the most of each.