Konnel,

I find that whenever a map seems to lack just a little something to make it feel right, posting it up here and getting some critique is by far the most effective way to improve it.

As regards the tutorial, I think it's a fine idea, although I have a feeling that such an undertaking will run to more of a book than a tut! In fact, you might take a look at Expeditious Retreat Press' A Magical Society: Ecology and Culture, which attempts to do exactly what you're describing. There's a free sample chapter entitled A Magical Society: Guide to Mapping.

Although I must warn you: if your pet peeve is people who say "artic" instead of "arctic," it will drive you nuts.

Perhaps a tutorial series on some of these topics, with an index document/thread to link to each one would help to break it down into something more manageable.