A little knowledge. An empire of 20.

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 1Lost11 countries · 3 lives left

   BotswanavsGuatemala

   Population: 2,480,244 vs 18,124,838 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Botswana.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Botswana against Guatemala

   Category	Botswana	Guatemala	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	581,730	108,889	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,480,244	18,124,838	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,029	13,752	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.3	166.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,495	4,220	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	400	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° S	15.0° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won12 countries · 3 lives left

   PeruvsGeorgia

   Proximity to equator: 13.0° S vs 42.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Georgia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Peru against Georgia

   Category	Peru	Georgia	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	1,285,216	69,700	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,845,617	3,715,483	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,042	25,093	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	26.3	53.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,746	5,193	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,414	310	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.0° S	42.4° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won13 countries · 3 lives left

   Solomon IslandsvsMauritius

   Proximity to equator: 9.6° S vs 20.3° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Mauritius.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Solomon Islands against Mauritius

   Category	Solomon Islands	Mauritius	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	28,896	2,040	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	800,005	1,248,647	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,599	29,403	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	27.7	612.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,335	828	Would win
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	5,313	177	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	9.6° S	20.3° S	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won14 countries · 3 lives left

   CanadavsGuinea-Bissau

   Area: 9,984,670 vs 36,125 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guinea-Bissau.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Canada against Guinea-Bissau

   Category	Canada	Guinea-Bissau	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,984,670	36,125	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	40,049,088	2,153,339	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	64,962	2,956	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.0	59.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,959	277	Would win
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	202,080	350	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	58.8° N	12.1° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won15 countries · 3 lives left

   ZimbabwevsGuinea

   Area: 390,757 vs 245,857 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guinea.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Zimbabwe against Guinea

   Category	Zimbabwe	Guinea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	390,757	245,857	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	16,340,822	14,405,468	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	5,796	4,337	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	41.8	58.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,592	1,752	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	320	Would lose
   Flag coloursBlocked in Hard · colours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.0° S	10.7° N	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won16 countries · 3 lives left

   YemenvsHungary

   Area: 527,968 vs 93,028 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Hungary.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Yemen against Hungary

   Category	Yemen	Hungary	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	527,968	93,028	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	39,390,799	9,592,186	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	Unavailable	46,376	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	74.6	103.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,666	1,014	Would win
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	1,906	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.3° N	47.3° N	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Won17 countries · 3 lives left

   BhutanvsBahamas

   Flag colours: 4 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bahamas.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bhutan against Bahamas

   Category	Bhutan	Bahamas	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	38,394	13,880	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	786,385	399,440	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	16,229	39,122	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	20.5	28.8	Would lose
   Highest peakBlocked in Hard · m · Higher wins ↑	7,570	64	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	3,542	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.5° N	24.7° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Won18 countries · 3 lives left

   Trinidad and TobagovsBrazil

   Wealth per person: 34,652 vs 21,193 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Brazil.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Trinidad and Tobago against Brazil

   Category	Trinidad and Tobago	Brazil	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,128	8,515,770	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,367,510	211,140,729	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	34,652	21,193	Would win
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	266.7	24.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	940	2,994	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	362	7,491	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.3° N	12.6° S	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Lost17 countries · 2 lives left

   ParaguayvsKenya

   Highest peak: 842 vs 5,199 m · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Paraguay.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Paraguay against Kenya

   Category	Paraguay	Kenya	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	406,752	580,367	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,844,146	55,339,003	Would lose
   Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,585	6,322	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.8	95.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	842	5,199	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	536	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	21.6° S	0.4° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won18 countries · 2 lives left

    FinlandvsSenegal

    Area: 338,145 vs 196,722 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Senegal.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Finland against Senegal

    Category	Finland	Senegal	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	338,145	196,722	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,583,911	18,077,573	Would lose
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	63,467	4,782	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.5	91.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,328	648	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,250	531	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	63.3° N	15.2° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won19 countries · 2 lives left

    Papua New GuineavsNiger

    Proximity to equator: 5.5° S vs 17.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Niger.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Papua New Guinea against Niger

    Category	Papua New Guinea	Niger	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	462,840	1,267,000	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,389,635	26,159,867	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,672	1,903	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	22.4	20.6	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,509	2,022	Would win
    CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	5,152	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	5.5° S	17.6° N	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Lost18 countries · 1 life left

    DjiboutivsBurundi

    Population: 1,152,944 vs 13,689,450 people · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Djibouti.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Djibouti against Burundi

    Category	Djibouti	Burundi	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	23,200	27,830	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,152,944	13,689,450	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,232	1,147	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	49.7	491.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,021	2,685	Would lose
    CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	314	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	11.4° N	3.4° S	Would lose

13. 13
    Round 13Won19 countries · 1 life left

    PeruvsIndia

    Proximity to equator: 13.0° S vs 22.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered India.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Peru against India

    Category	Peru	India	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,285,216	3,287,263	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,845,617	1,438,069,596	Would lose
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,042	9,853	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	26.3	437.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,746	8,586	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,414	7,000	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.0° S	22.4° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won20 countries · 1 life left

    GeorgiavsLesotho

    Area: 69,700 vs 30,355 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Lesotho.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Georgia against Lesotho

    Category	Georgia	Lesotho	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	69,700	30,355	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,715,483	2,311,472	Would win
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,093	2,880	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	53.3	76.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,193	3,482	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	310	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.4° N	29.4° S	Would lose

15. 15
    Round 15Won21 countries · 1 life left

    Solomon IslandsvsAfghanistan

    Wealth per person: 2,599 vs 2,204 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Afghanistan.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Solomon Islands against Afghanistan

    Category	Solomon Islands	Afghanistan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	28,896	652,230	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	800,005	41,454,761	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,599	2,204	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	27.7	63.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,335	7,492	Would lose
    CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	5,313	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	5	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	9.6° S	34.3° N	Would win

16. 16
    Round 16Lost20 countries · 0 lives left

    MauritiusvsOman

    Highest peak: 828 vs 3,004 m · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Mauritius.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Mauritius against Oman

    Category	Mauritius	Oman	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,040	309,500	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,248,647	5,049,269	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	29,403	41,980	Would lose
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	612.1	16.3	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	828	3,004	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	177	2,092	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	20.3° S	22.1° N	Would win