Need help with filling blanks (country areas) on a map

Hi, Lise,

Using the Paint Bucket forms a Live Paint Group, which makes it unnecessary for the group and expand steps, but no harm done.

You simply need to draw paths to enclose the open areas such as the ocean, and if you want to color Russia, Azerbaijan, etc., you need to enclose them as well. I used straight lines (a rectangle around everything) to enclose the northern and eastern part of that region, but you may use whatever shapes you like, as long as they're closed. Please note that I did not close the gap between Russia and Azerbaijan, and I've left some other small gaps so as it stands some adjacent countries would receive the same color.

Peter

Select and lock the type objects, then Select All and try the Live Paint Bucket again. Live Paint only works on paths and compound paths.

Peter

Lise,

How about Live paint Group?

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/live-paint-groups.html