Is there a reason why large maps are more sparse than smaller ones?

Although italy is big, it doesn't really feel that big, there is a highspeed road connecting the places, and quite frankly a whole lot of emptyness, yes it is nice to have countryside and etc, but it doesn't feel that big. Maybe if we had a big city map, like WCUSA in one corner, and then some suburbs and then countryside. That would be cool.

Or are there major performance issues by doing that?

 

I'd imagine performance issues. Just imagine some map the size of Italy on flat ground with buildings and only buildings. Most of the playerbase for Beam wouldn't be able to play it. Italy lags enough in the towns, and WCUSA already went not the best on release.

 

Load up Italy, then press F11 to open world editor. Select house you like then shift drag to make a copy of that, do that so that you have small suburb created and it will explain far more than I ever can

Also street view of southern Italy is interesting (or should it be revealing?), there are lot of chairs next to road, ladies sit on chairs without trousers, but thick jackets on, while there is just some bushes next to road, very confusing place.