The World: so Big so Beautiful... But yet so empty

[Catwho]

In regards to the Azim Steppes, at one point during the MSQ an NPC (I think it was Cirina?) even says specifically that the area we have access to is just one small part of the vast steppe-land; the nomadic tribes were only gathered in the accessible area because of the nadaam, and not all the tribes were bothering to participate. Only the Qestir and the Oronir live there year round. I assume there's a secret tunnel elsewhere or an invisible bridge over the gully to the east to go to the inaccessible parts, and the desert to the south looks wide open as well.

Edit: There is also an in-game explanation for why previous hubs are now more empty. Mor Dhona and Idyllshire were under construction for most of their patches; there were tons of people flowing in and out helping with the construction projects. Now it's over. Rhalgr's Reach is the capital of a newly liberated nation and in dire need of repairs - so of course it is going to be very busy!