Tips and tricks for new players?

I'm loving this game, I'm playing the second one on Android. I'm kind of coming at it from an Anno mindset, but I have questions. Like for example, do I not need population to work production buildings? Could I just have an island with no population? Just full of sheep and cloth makers? Is there a good list of beginners tips and tricks somewhere that I'm missing? Maybe a website or YouTube video someone could suggest?