A little knowledge. An empire of 15.

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

   Côte d’IvoirevsYemen

   Proximity to equator: 7.5° N vs 15.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Yemen.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Côte d’Ivoire against Yemen

   Category	Côte d’Ivoire	Yemen	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	322,463	527,968	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	31,165,654	39,390,799	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	7,243	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	96.6	74.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,752	3,666	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	515	1,906	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.5° N	15.3° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   MontenegrovsLibya

   Wealth per person: 31,863 vs 13,858 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Libya.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Montenegro against Libya

   Category	Montenegro	Libya	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,812	1,759,540	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	623,529	7,305,659	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	31,863	13,858	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	4.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,534	2,267	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	293.5	1,770	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.8° N	26.1° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   GhanavsMali

   Density: 141.6 vs 19.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mali.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ghana against Mali

   Category	Ghana	Mali	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,533	1,240,192	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,787,914	23,769,127	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,563	3,178	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	141.6	19.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	885	1,155	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	539	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	18.6° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   SerbiavsVanuatu

   Population: 6,623,183 vs 320,409 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vanuatu.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Serbia against Vanuatu

   Category	Serbia	Vanuatu	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	77,474	12,189	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6,623,183	320,409	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	29,777	4,202	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	85.5	26.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,169	1,877	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,528	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	44.2° N	15.4° S	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   ComorosvsOman

   Coastline: 340 vs 2,092 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Comoros.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Comoros against Oman

   Category	Comoros	Oman	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,235	309,500	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	850,387	5,049,269	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,897	41,980	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	380.5	16.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,360	3,004	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	340	2,092	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	11.7° S	22.1° N	Would win