A little knowledge. An empire of 37.

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

   LebanonvsMontenegro

   Proximity to equator: 34.2° N vs 42.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Montenegro.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Lebanon against Montenegro

   Category	Lebanon	Montenegro	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	10,400	13,812	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,773,493	623,529	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,585	31,863	Would lose
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	555.1	45.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,088	2,534	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	293.5	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	34.2° N	42.8° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   ArgentinavsMadagascar

   Population: 45,538,401 vs 31,195,932 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Madagascar.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Argentina against Madagascar

   Category	Argentina	Madagascar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,780,400	587,041	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	45,538,401	31,195,932	Would win
   Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	30,246	1,810	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.4	53.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,962	2,876	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,989	4,828	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	31.4° S	18.4° S	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   GabonvsZambia

   Flag colours: 3 vs 4 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Gabon.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gabon against Zambia

   Category	Gabon	Zambia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	267,667	752,618	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,484,789	20,723,965	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	4,080	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	9.3	27.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	2,330	Would lose
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	885	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	14.7° S	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won14 countries · 3 lives left

   YemenvsGuyana

   Density: 74.6 vs 3.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guyana.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Yemen against Guyana

   Category	Yemen	Guyana	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	527,968	214,969	Would win
   PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	39,390,799	826,353	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	Unavailable	54,774	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	74.6	3.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,666	2,775	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,906	459	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.3° N	2.7° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won15 countries · 3 lives left

   UkrainevsGuatemala

   Area: 603,550 vs 108,889 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guatemala.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ukraine against Guatemala

   Category	Ukraine	Guatemala	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	603,550	108,889	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	37,732,836	18,124,838	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,680	13,752	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	62.5	166.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,061	4,220	Would lose
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	2,782	400	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	49.6° N	15.0° N	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won16 countries · 3 lives left

   ColombiavsEcuador

   Population: 52,321,152 vs 17,980,083 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ecuador.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Colombia against Ecuador

   Category	Colombia	Ecuador	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	1,138,910	283,561	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	52,321,152	17,980,083	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,282	15,907	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.9	63.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,730	6,267	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,208	2,237	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	11	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.4° N	1.2° S	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won17 countries · 3 lives left

   DjiboutivsRepublic of the Congo

   Flag colours: 4 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Republic of the Congo.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Djibouti against Republic of the Congo

   Category	Djibouti	Republic of the Congo	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	23,200	342,000	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,152,944	6,182,885	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,232	6,856	Would win
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	49.7	18.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,021	1,020	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	314	169	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	11.4° N	0.1° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Won18 countries · 3 lives left

   IsraelvsEswatini

   Wealth per person: 55,301 vs 11,309 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Eswatini.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Israel against Eswatini

   Category	Israel	Eswatini	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	21,937	17,364	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,849,000	1,230,506	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	55,301	11,309	Would win
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	449.0	70.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,224	1,862	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	273	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	30.9° N	26.6° S	Would lose

9. 9
   Round 9Won19 countries · 3 lives left

   SwitzerlandvsIraq

   Density: 215.3 vs 102.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Iraq.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Switzerland against Iraq

   Category	Switzerland	Iraq	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	41,277	438,317	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,888,822	45,074,049	Would lose
   Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	93,940	14,665	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	215.3	102.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,634	3,611	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	58	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.7° N	33.3° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won20 countries · 3 lives left

    SingaporevsSudan

    Wealth per person: 144,728 vs 2,423 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Sudan.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Singapore against Sudan

    Category	Singapore	Sudan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	719	1,861,484	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,917,648	50,042,791	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	144,728	2,423	Would win
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	8,230.4	26.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	166	3,042	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	853	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.4° N	16.6° N	Would win

11. 11
    Round 11Won21 countries · 3 lives left

    South SudanvsTurkmenistan

    Population: 11,483,374 vs 7,364,438 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Turkmenistan.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for South Sudan against Turkmenistan

    Category	South Sudan	Turkmenistan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	644,329	488,100	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	11,483,374	7,364,438	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	Unavailable	19,645	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.8	15.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,187	3,139	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	5	Would win
    Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	39.9° N	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Won22 countries · 3 lives left

    NamibiavsCabo Verde

    Population: 2,963,095 vs 522,331 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Cabo Verde.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Namibia against Cabo Verde

    Category	Namibia	Cabo Verde	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	824,292	4,033	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,963,095	522,331	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,248	10,251	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.6	129.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,573	2,829	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,572	965	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	4	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	20.6° S	15.0° N	Would lose

13. 13
    Round 13Won23 countries · 3 lives left

    LebanonvsTimor-Leste

    Population: 5,773,493 vs 1,384,286 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Timor-Leste.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Lebanon against Timor-Leste

    Category	Lebanon	Timor-Leste	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	10,400	14,874	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,773,493	1,384,286	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,585	4,811	Would win
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	555.1	93.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,088	2,963	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	706	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.2° N	8.9° S	Would lose

14. 14
    Round 14Won24 countries · 3 lives left

    MontenegrovsNetherlands

    Proximity to equator: 42.8° N vs 52.2° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Netherlands.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Montenegro against Netherlands

    Category	Montenegro	Netherlands	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,812	41,543	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	623,529	17,877,117	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	31,863	80,392	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	430.3	Would lose
    Highest peakBlocked in Hard · m · Higher wins ↑	2,534	322	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	293.5	451	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	42.8° N	52.2° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Won25 countries · 3 lives left

    ArgentinavsBhutan

    Population: 45,538,401 vs 786,385 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Bhutan.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Argentina against Bhutan

    Category	Argentina	Bhutan	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	2,780,400	38,394	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	45,538,401	786,385	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	30,246	16,229	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.4	20.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,962	7,570	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,989	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	31.4° S	27.5° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Won26 countries · 3 lives left

    MadagascarvsBurundi

    Area: 587,041 vs 27,830 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Burundi.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Madagascar against Burundi

    Category	Madagascar	Burundi	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	587,041	27,830	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	31,195,932	13,689,450	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,810	1,147	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	53.1	491.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,876	2,685	Would win
    CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	4,828	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	18.4° S	3.4° S	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won27 countries · 3 lives left

    YemenvsTrinidad and Tobago

    Population: 39,390,799 vs 1,367,510 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Trinidad and Tobago.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Yemen against Trinidad and Tobago

    Category	Yemen	Trinidad and Tobago	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	527,968	5,128	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	39,390,799	1,367,510	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	Unavailable	34,652	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	74.6	266.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,666	940	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,906	362	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.3° N	10.3° N	Would lose

18. 18
    Round 18Won28 countries · 3 lives left

    GuyanavsBahamas

    Highest peak: 2,775 vs 64 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Bahamas.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Guyana against Bahamas

    Category	Guyana	Bahamas	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	214,969	13,880	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	826,353	399,440	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	54,774	39,122	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.8	28.8	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,775	64	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	459	3,542	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	2.7° N	24.7° N	Would win

19. 19
    Round 19Lost27 countries · 2 lives left

    UkrainevsChina

    Wealth per person: 17,680 vs 25,200 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Ukraine.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Ukraine against China

    Category	Ukraine	China	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	603,550	9,596,960	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	37,732,836	1,410,710,000	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	17,680	25,200	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	62.5	147.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,061	8,849	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,782	14,500	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	49.6° N	32.5° N	Would lose

20. 20
    Round 20Won28 countries · 2 lives left

    GuatemalavsSweden

    Proximity to equator: 15.0° N vs 65.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Sweden.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Guatemala against Sweden

    Category	Guatemala	Sweden	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	108,889	450,295	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,124,838	10,536,632	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,752	68,458	Would lose
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	166.5	23.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,220	2,100	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	400	3,218	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.0° N	65.8° N	Would win