In answer to your questions:
1. You can set the geo settings for your location as shown in the
Vantage admin demo
2. The map on the homepage is an optional widget so yes you can choose not to have it, however there is no built in slider option, so this would require customization/plugin.
3. This would require customization on your part if you were looking to change the default layout. Our themes are not encrypted so you are free to make modifications if you wish.
4. No, the plugin is not fully compatible at this time, but yes the theme can be translated using .po files as is our usual translation method outlined on the
languages page. Thanks.