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

   ChinavsCôte d’Ivoire

   Population: 1,410,710,000 vs 31,165,654 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Côte d’Ivoire.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against Côte d’Ivoire

   Category	China	Côte d’Ivoire	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,596,960	322,463	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,410,710,000	31,165,654	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	7,243	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	96.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	1,752	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	515	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	7.5° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   HaitivsTimor-Leste

   Density: 419.4 vs 93.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Timor-Leste.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Haiti against Timor-Leste

   Category	Haiti	Timor-Leste	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	27,750	14,874	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,637,398	1,384,286	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,265	4,811	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	419.4	93.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,674	2,963	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,771	706	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	7	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.2° N	8.9° S	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   United StatesvsPoland

   Population: 336,755,052 vs 36,687,353 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Poland.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United States against Poland

   Category	United States	Poland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,833,517	312,685	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	336,755,052	36,687,353	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	82,587	48,473	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	34.2	117.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,190	2,499	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	19,924	440	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.1° N	51.9° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   EthiopiavsNicaragua

   Population: 128,691,692 vs 6,823,613 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Nicaragua.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ethiopia against Nicaragua

   Category	Ethiopia	Nicaragua	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,104,300	130,370	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	128,691,692	6,823,613	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,063	8,327	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	116.5	52.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,550	2,085	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	910	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	10	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.5° N	12.6° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   Solomon IslandsvsKuwait

   Coastline: 5,313 vs 499 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kuwait.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Solomon Islands against Kuwait

   Category	Solomon Islands	Kuwait	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	28,896	17,818	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	800,005	4,853,420	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,599	53,083	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	27.7	272.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,335	300	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,313	499	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	9.6° S	29.4° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   KenyavsChile

   Population: 55,339,003 vs 19,658,835 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Chile.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Kenya against Chile

   Category	Kenya	Chile	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	580,367	756,102	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	55,339,003	19,658,835	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,322	33,174	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.4	26.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,199	6,893	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	536	6,435	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.4° N	23.4° S	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Lost17 countries · 3 lives left

   GabonvsQatar

   Population: 2,484,789 vs 2,656,032 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Gabon.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gabon against Qatar

   Category	Gabon	Qatar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	267,667	11,586	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,484,789	2,656,032	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	129,025	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	9.3	229.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	103	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	563	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	25.1° N	Would win