A little knowledge. An empire of 17.

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

   VanuatuvsNew Zealand

   Density: 26.3 vs 19.3 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered New Zealand.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Vanuatu against New Zealand

   Category	Vanuatu	New Zealand	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	12,189	268,838	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	320,409	5,200,000	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,202	54,950	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	26.3	19.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,877	3,724	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,528	15,134	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.4° S	45.3° S	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   ChinavsNamibia

   Population: 1,410,710,000 vs 2,963,095 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Namibia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against Namibia

   Category	China	Namibia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,596,960	824,292	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,410,710,000	2,963,095	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	11,248	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	3.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	2,573	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	1,572	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	20.6° S	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   BurundivsTunisia

   Density: 491.9 vs 74.6 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Tunisia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Burundi against Tunisia

   Category	Burundi	Tunisia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	27,830	163,610	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	13,689,450	12,200,431	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,147	14,052	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	491.9	74.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,685	1,544	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,148	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.4° S	35.3° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   Sri LankavsPalestine

   Area: 65,610 vs 6,220 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Palestine.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Sri Lanka against Palestine

   Category	Sri Lanka	Palestine	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	65,610	6,220	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	22,037,000	5,165,775	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,512	6,179	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	335.9	830.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,524	1,020	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,340	40	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	32.1° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   NetherlandsvsBelarus

   Wealth per person: 80,392 vs 30,860 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Belarus.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Netherlands against Belarus

   Category	Netherlands	Belarus	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	41,543	207,600	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,877,117	9,178,298	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	80,392	30,860	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	430.3	44.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	322	346	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	451	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	52.2° N	53.8° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   MexicovsSolomon Islands

   Population: 129,739,759 vs 800,005 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Solomon Islands.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mexico against Solomon Islands

   Category	Mexico	Solomon Islands	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,964,375	28,896	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	129,739,759	800,005	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,188	2,599	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	66.0	27.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,636	2,335	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	9,330	5,313	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	11	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.5° N	9.6° S	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Lost17 countries · 3 lives left

   CroatiavsUnited Arab Emirates

   Wealth per person: 47,760 vs 78,020 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Croatia.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Croatia against United Arab Emirates

   Category	Croatia	United Arab Emirates	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,594	83,600	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,859,686	10,483,751	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	47,760	78,020	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	68.2	125.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,831	1,905	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,835	1,318	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.8° N	23.5° N	Would lose