I'm Indonesia in one right now. Bad choice. Completely surrounded and SCs are too far for immediate builds without giving up all surrounding seas to lurking neighbors.

I've always thought that India looked the strongest, but I've never seen it do well. People perceiving the strength perhaps. I've enjoyed all of the powers in and around India: Iran; Russia; Sichuan; Central Asia. Africa can be fun aside from Egypt. Australia and Oceania tend to be in a death match that can work to Indonesia's advantage. Japan and the Philippines can cripple each other early and then it is game over for either one.

I'm Cuba in my only WWIV game for the time being, and I think it is quite good in terms of having quite a number of neutral centres nearby within a year's reach plus quite easy access to expansion possibilities because of the surrounding seas. The downside is that, also because of the seas, you will feel really unsafe to see another player's fleet in the waters which could easily grab a (home) centre of yours if intended, and it is quite impossible to spend too much resources guarding all the seas.

I think India would be pretty sweet. To answer your question, I pick based on what I perceive to be the strengths of the country geographically and decide if I can adapt it to my play style.

For example, I prefer to play Italy in Classic because of it's high defensive home turf, and good expansion routes -if handled properly. In WWIV, India seems to have the same characteristics. I'd say Turkey is a good second - although I've never played either. I by nature, prefer a defensive position as opposed to a central one - which may explain why I draw often but solo rarely.

I agree with Halt 's first paragraph. Find the country that suits your style of play. then playing your game and some luck!

I also agree with Halt's point; different countries, different styles of gameplay and usually my mood decides which one is right.

I played Colombia and Manchuria and had a pretty great time, but I also enjoyed Japan, Quebec and Mexico.

In Africa Morocco is usually a good choice, but Nigeria or Mali are also interesting, from my experience.

And in the classic, I like all but Italy, but there's no specific reason; just the feeling that I less acting and more reacting.

In WWIV I really like Cali, Manchuria, and Argentina and have had great success with all three.
in colonial Japan and France are super fun
And in classic my personal favorite is Turkey, but that's just because my first ever win was as Turkey