Mid-Atlantic Ocean: This is one of the only two provinces that touches Portugal. The MAO is important early on because France usually moves the F(Bre) here. An English naval attack on France will also probably need to get into the MAO to be effective.
The MAO is important in the endgame because, if a fleet is stationed here and supported by Por and NAT, it's impossible for all Mediterranean fleets to get into the Atlantic. Similarly, if a Mediterranean power has fleets in Por, SPA, WES and Naf, enemy fleets can be prevented from getting in.
From: Leif Bergman [leif@pobox.se]
Date: 15 Apr 1999
If the Norht Sea is vital to England, Mid is as important for France.
From Mid you can swing your fleets towards Italy or England in no time.
Mid is a vital part in the French slingshoot opening.
F Bre - Mid
A Mar - Spa
A Par - Gas
fall 01
F Mid C A Gas - Por
A Gas - Mid - Por
A Spa Hold.
Builds 2 fleets (F Mar and F Bre).
1902:
F Mid - Nao
F Bre - Mid
F Mar - Spa
A Spa - Gas
A Por - Spa
And then you take your armee and convoy it to English mainland.
A variant is F Mao - Iri to get a different position.