You just need to put 'objects' in where the long sight-lines are. You could put rocks like models/props_mining/rock003.mdl, could put some buildings there, or you could even do something like goldrush has with the displacement maps making small inclines that break up sightlines ( http://www.straferight.com/photopost/data/736/pl_goldrush.jpg ). Using proplibrary may be helpful for picking out models that could help break up the long sightlines. Also displace the hell out of the ground to make it look more interesting then plop some bushes/plants and miscellaneous debris around.I am not sure what to do about the sightline issues.
As for the name, I really have no idea about what to use instead. I named the map quite some time before even hearing about this fine site.
As for the darkness, point taken. The lightning will need to be revised.
The answer to the question is that I am not using nodraw except for sides inside of the map that players can't possibly see.
Finally, yeah, the ground is flat and boring. I suck at that.