>>2213764
Everywhere that's cored ends up okay
The bottom stuff is integrated but not cored because I'm self restricting below my diplomatic capacity in terms of how much I'm going to abuse vassal culture conversion. If I didn't care that would have all been cored like 150 years ago.

If you went absolutely crazy I think it might genuinely be possible to reach empire rank before the europeans arrive. You'd have to absue vassal conversions like hell to get there before the institutions make it too hard though or get incredibly lucky with a european decline