A little knowledge. An empire of 23.

Every comparison uses this expedition’s original data and rules. “Would win” describes this matchup only; a different choice would change the later journey.

1. 1
   Round 1Won13 countries · 4 lives left

   United KingdomvsEritrea

   Population: 68,526,000 vs 3,470,390 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Eritrea.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United Kingdom against Eritrea

   Category	United Kingdom	Eritrea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	243,610	117,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	68,526,000	3,470,390	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	60,787	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	281.3	29.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,345	3,018	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	12,429	2,234	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	52.5° N	16.0° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   GuatemalavsGermany

   Proximity to equator: 15.0° N vs 51.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Germany.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Guatemala against Germany

   Category	Guatemala	Germany	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	108,889	357,022	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,124,838	83,287,273	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,752	72,262	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	166.5	233.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,220	2,963	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	400	2,389	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.0° N	51.0° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   DR CongovsMexico

   Flag colours: 3 vs 11 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: DR Congo.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for DR Congo against Mexico

   Category	DR Congo	Mexico	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,344,858	1,964,375	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	105,789,731	129,739,759	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,732	25,188	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	66.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	5,636	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37	9,330	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	11	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.9° S	23.5° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won14 countries · 3 lives left

   BoliviavsAfghanistan

   Proximity to equator: 16.7° S vs 34.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Afghanistan.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bolivia against Afghanistan

   Category	Bolivia	Afghanistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,098,581	652,230	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	12,244,159	41,454,761	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,903	2,204	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	11.1	63.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,542	7,492	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	5	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	16.7° S	34.3° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won15 countries · 3 lives left

   GambiavsYemen

   Density: 238.7 vs 74.6 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Yemen.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gambia against Yemen

   Category	Gambia	Yemen	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	11,300	527,968	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,697,845	39,390,799	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	3,292	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	238.7	74.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	63	3,666	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	80	1,906	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	13.6° N	15.3° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won16 countries · 3 lives left

   South KoreavsChina

   Wealth per person: 57,430 vs 25,200 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered China.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for South Korea against China

   Category	South Korea	China	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	99,720	9,596,960	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	51,712,619	1,410,710,000	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	57,430	25,200	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	518.6	147.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,950	8,849	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,413	14,500	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	36.3° N	32.5° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won17 countries · 3 lives left

   PalestinevsBosnia and Herzegovina

   Density: 830.5 vs 62.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bosnia and Herzegovina.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Palestine against Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Category	Palestine	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	6,220	51,197	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,165,775	3,185,073	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,179	23,376	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	830.5	62.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,020	2,386	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	40	20	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	44.1° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won18 countries · 3 lives left

   LatviavsNepal

   Wealth per person: 42,784 vs 5,400 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Nepal.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Latvia against Nepal

   Category	Latvia	Nepal	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	64,589	147,181	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,883,710	29,694,614	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	42,784	5,400	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.2	201.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	312	8,849	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	498	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	56.6° N	29.0° N	Would lose

9. 9
   Round 9Won19 countries · 3 lives left

   United StatesvsJordan

   Area: 9,833,517 vs 89,342 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Jordan.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United States against Jordan

   Category	United States	Jordan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,833,517	89,342	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	336,755,052	11,439,213	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	82,587	11,451	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	34.2	128.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,190	1,854	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	19,924	26	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.1° N	30.7° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won20 countries · 3 lives left

    GeorgiavsBotswana

    Wealth per person: 25,093 vs 21,029 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Botswana.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Georgia against Botswana

    Category	Georgia	Botswana	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	69,700	581,730	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,715,483	2,480,244	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	25,093	21,029	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	53.3	4.3	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,193	1,495	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	310	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.4° N	22.1° S	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won21 countries · 3 lives left

    EswatinivsMoldova

    Proximity to equator: 26.6° S vs 47.5° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Moldova.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Eswatini against Moldova

    Category	Eswatini	Moldova	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,364	33,851	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,230,506	2,457,783	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,309	17,751	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	70.9	72.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,862	430	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	9	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	26.6° S	47.5° N	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Won22 countries · 3 lives left

    MaldivesvsCentral African Republic

    Density: 1,765.1 vs 8.3 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Central African Republic.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Maldives against Central African Republic

    Category	Maldives	Central African Republic	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	298	622,984	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	525,994	5,152,421	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	24,807	1,258	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,765.1	8.3	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5	1,410	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	644	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.3° N	7.0° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won23 countries · 3 lives left

    United KingdomvsKenya

    Population: 68,526,000 vs 55,339,003 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Kenya.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for United Kingdom against Kenya

    Category	United Kingdom	Kenya	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	243,610	580,367	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	68,526,000	55,339,003	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	60,787	6,322	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	281.3	95.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,345	5,199	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	12,429	536	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	52.5° N	0.4° N	Would lose

14. 14
    Round 14Lost22 countries · 2 lives left

    EritreavsMadagascar

    Density: 29.5 vs 53.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Eritrea.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Eritrea against Madagascar

    Category	Eritrea	Madagascar	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	117,600	587,041	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,470,390	31,195,932	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	Unavailable	1,810	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	29.5	53.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,018	2,876	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,234	4,828	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	16.0° N	18.4° S	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Lost21 countries · 1 life left

    GuatemalavsAlgeria

    Population: 18,124,838 vs 46,164,219 people · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Guatemala.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Guatemala against Algeria

    Category	Guatemala	Algeria	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	108,889	2,381,740	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	18,124,838	46,164,219	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,752	16,838	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	166.5	19.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,220	2,908	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	400	998	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.0° N	27.4° N	Would win

16. 16
    Round 16Won22 countries · 1 life left

    GermanyvsAndorra

    Wealth per person: 72,262 vs 71,790 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Andorra.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Germany against Andorra

    Category	Germany	Andorra	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	357,022	468	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	83,287,273	80,856	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	72,262	71,790	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	233.3	172.8	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,963	2,946	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,389	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	7	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	51.0° N	42.5° N	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won23 countries · 1 life left

    BoliviavsZambia

    Area: 1,098,581 vs 752,618 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Zambia.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Bolivia against Zambia

    Category	Bolivia	Zambia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,098,581	752,618	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	12,244,159	20,723,965	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,903	4,080	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	11.1	27.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,542	2,330	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	4	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	16.7° S	14.7° S	Would lose