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Inspired by the cliches thread about tiny countries getting random blocks of land when they shouldn't....
Just what DOES it take to establish a colony? What kind of resources and administrations show up (depending on the era) and what reasons do you go full-on colonial instead of just maintaining a localized city and surrounding area to give yourself a port to trade inland?
I ask because colonies were useful but also expensive and in part a nationalistic pissing match. I want to gain a better understanding of the issue.