Well I think I first played it on an Amiga 500, but could be wrong.
You are right about the translation. I didn't think of that.
I think the country names are already in background which is good. Different colours and fonts would be nice as well as different fontsizes and transparency for all text types. The problem is to see all kinds of texts at any scope level of the (3d) geoscope.
Using a political worldmap with less colour mixtures will help a better overview.
Maybe the relation of icon colours and backgrounds/globe textures should be reconsidered (yellow base icon and yellow country background will look ugly).
I'm sure you will find a good compromise.
Keep on the good work.