OOTS headcanons?

[Peelee]

Given the approximate population density of the continent at the time the frenchmen came, I'm pretty sure they started with parts that didn't have any people there.

It's actually mind boggling how quickly explorers made contact

Population was roughly on par with Europe, just over a larger landmass. And even then, it's easy to find people. Go to the rivers. That's where people already there will live, and that's where people coming in will want to live. Easy peasy.