When starting a new game, are those different maps or just different spawn locations in one map?

[What Zitt Tooya]

As the title suggests...

[WSkD]

Just different spawns.

[Coyote]

Different spawns on the same map. And with in thoses spawns zones the location where you spawn is random

[Swatch]

Yes

[Vectorspace]

They are far enough apart that you'll have to progress fairly far (I would guess mid-game) before you can easily travel to the other start areas.

Also note that Northern Forest, one of the start zones, is due to get a significant makeover in the next major update

[Munin]

Necro