[R-sig-Geo] re. Creating random (but believable) geographies

[Darren Norris]

how about simply using what already exists?
For example,
Brazil [data freely available (but may need to cite the source which may 
defeat what you are trying to achieve?) at: 
ftp://geoftp.ibge.gov.br/mapas/malhas_digitais/municipio_2005/E500/Proj_Geografica/ArcView_shp/ 
]
has three sub-administrative layers (region, state, municipality).
overlay a random polygon of your new country somewhere in the country 
(should be big enough) and you will end up with at least 2 
administrative layers?
If you want can then shift the coordinates to any location (ocean, 
middle of a desert etc)......
What am I missing?
Darren