A little knowledge. An empire of 51.

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

   Sierra LeonevsArgentina

   Proximity to equator: 8.7° N vs 31.4° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Argentina.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Sierra Leone against Argentina

   Category	Sierra Leone	Argentina	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	71,740	2,780,400	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,460,512	45,538,401	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,371	30,246	Would lose
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	117.9	16.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,948	6,962	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	402	4,989	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	8.7° N	31.4° S	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   SyriavsVanuatu

   Area: 187,437 vs 12,189 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vanuatu.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Syria against Vanuatu

   Category	Syria	Vanuatu	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	187,437	12,189	Would win
   PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	23,594,623	320,409	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	Unavailable	4,202	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.9	26.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,814	1,877	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	2,528	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	35.0° N	15.4° S	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   MaltavsBrazil

   Wealth per person: 67,101 vs 21,193 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Brazil.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Malta against Brazil

   Category	Malta	Brazil	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	316	8,515,770	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	552,747	211,140,729	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	67,101	21,193	Would win
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	1,749.2	24.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	253	2,994	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	196.8	7,491	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	35.9° N	12.6° S	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   South SudanvsCôte d’Ivoire

   Proximity to equator: 7.1° N vs 7.5° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Côte d’Ivoire.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for South Sudan against Côte d’Ivoire

   Category	South Sudan	Côte d’Ivoire	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	644,329	322,463	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,483,374	31,165,654	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	Unavailable	7,243	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.8	96.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,187	1,752	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	515	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.1° N	7.5° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   LibyavsFiji

   Population: 7,305,659 vs 924,145 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Fiji.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Libya against Fiji

   Category	Libya	Fiji	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	1,759,540	18,274	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,305,659	924,145	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,858	14,656	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.2	50.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,267	1,324	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,770	1,129	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	8	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	26.1° N	17.8° S	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   RwandavsAzerbaijan

   Highest peak: 4,519 vs 4,466 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Azerbaijan.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Rwanda against Azerbaijan

   Category	Rwanda	Azerbaijan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	26,338	86,600	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	13,954,471	10,153,958	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,519	23,671	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	529.8	117.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,519	4,466	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.8° S	40.5° N	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   NepalvsIceland

   Highest peak: 8,849 vs 2,110 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Iceland.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Nepal against Iceland

   Category	Nepal	Iceland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	147,181	103,000	Would win
   PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	29,694,614	385,663	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	5,400	82,257	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	201.8	3.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	8,849	2,110	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	4,970	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.0° N	64.7° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   DR CongovsComoros

   Population: 105,789,731 vs 850,387 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Comoros.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for DR Congo against Comoros

   Category	DR Congo	Comoros	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	2,344,858	2,235	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	105,789,731	850,387	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,732	3,897	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	380.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	2,360	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37	340	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.9° S	11.7° S	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   BangladeshvsCuba

   Density: 1,155.0 vs 99.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Cuba.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Bangladesh against Cuba

   Category	Bangladesh	Cuba	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	148,460	110,860	Would win
   PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	171,466,990	11,019,931	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	9,155	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,155.0	99.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,060	1,974	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	580	3,735	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.3° N	20.6° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    BelizevsMongolia

    Proximity to equator: 17.0° N vs 46.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Mongolia.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Belize against Mongolia

    Category	Belize	Mongolia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	22,966	1,564,116	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	411,106	3,481,145	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,741	18,020	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.9	2.2	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,124	4,374	Would lose
    CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	386	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	12	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	17.0° N	46.0° N	Would win

11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    SingaporevsAngola

    Wealth per person: 144,728 vs 9,550 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Angola.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Singapore against Angola

    Category	Singapore	Angola	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	719	1,246,700	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,917,648	36,749,906	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	144,728	9,550	Would win
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	8,230.4	29.5	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	166	2,620	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	1,600	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.4° N	13.2° S	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    IraqvsNicaragua

    Area: 438,317 vs 130,370 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Nicaragua.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Iraq against Nicaragua

    Category	Iraq	Nicaragua	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	438,317	130,370	Would win
    PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	45,074,049	6,823,613	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,665	8,327	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	102.8	52.3	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,611	2,085	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	58	910	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	10	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	33.3° N	12.6° N	Would lose

13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    Sierra LeonevsEgypt

    Density: 117.9 vs 114.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Egypt.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Sierra Leone against Egypt

    Category	Sierra Leone	Egypt	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	71,740	1,001,450	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,460,512	114,535,772	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,371	18,540	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	117.9	114.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,948	2,629	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	402	2,450	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.7° N	26.3° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won26 countries · 4 lives left

    ArgentinavsSaudi Arabia

    Area: 2,780,400 vs 2,149,690 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Saudi Arabia.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Argentina against Saudi Arabia

    Category	Argentina	Saudi Arabia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,780,400	2,149,690	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	45,538,401	33,702,731	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	30,246	71,624	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.4	15.7	Would win
    Highest peakBlocked in Hard · m · Higher wins ↑	6,962	3,000	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,989	2,640	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	31.4° S	23.5° N	Would lose

15. 15
    Round 15Won27 countries · 4 lives left

    SyriavsUganda

    Coastline: 193 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Uganda.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Syria against Uganda

    Category	Syria	Uganda	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	187,437	241,038	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	23,594,623	48,656,601	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	Unavailable	3,100	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.9	201.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,814	5,110	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	193	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	5	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	35.0° N	2.0° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Lost26 countries · 3 lives left

    VanuatuvsEquatorial Guinea

    Flag colours: 4 vs 8 colours · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Vanuatu.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Vanuatu against Equatorial Guinea

    Category	Vanuatu	Equatorial Guinea	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	12,189	28,051	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	320,409	1,847,549	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,202	16,997	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	26.3	65.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,877	3,008	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,528	296	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	8	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.4° S	1.6° N	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won27 countries · 3 lives left

    MaltavsMauritius

    Wealth per person: 67,101 vs 29,403 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Mauritius.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Malta against Mauritius

    Category	Malta	Mauritius	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	316	2,040	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	552,747	1,248,647	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	67,101	29,403	Would win
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	1,749.2	612.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	253	828	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	196.8	177	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	35.9° N	20.3° S	Would lose

18. 18
    Round 18Won28 countries · 3 lives left

    BrazilvsCanada

    Proximity to equator: 12.6° S vs 58.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Canada.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Brazil against Canada

    Category	Brazil	Canada	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	8,515,770	9,984,670	Would lose
    PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	211,140,729	40,049,088	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,193	64,962	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	24.8	4.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,994	5,959	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,491	202,080	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	12.6° S	58.8° N	Would win

19. 19
    Round 19Won29 countries · 3 lives left

    South SudanvsTrinidad and Tobago

    Population: 11,483,374 vs 1,367,510 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Trinidad and Tobago.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for South Sudan against Trinidad and Tobago

    Category	South Sudan	Trinidad and Tobago	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	644,329	5,128	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	11,483,374	1,367,510	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	Unavailable	34,652	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.8	266.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,187	940	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	362	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	10.3° N	Would win

20. 20
    Round 20Won30 countries · 3 lives left

    Côte d’IvoirevsMyanmar

    Wealth per person: 7,243 vs 5,958 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Myanmar.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Côte d’Ivoire against Myanmar

    Category	Côte d’Ivoire	Myanmar	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	322,463	676,578	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	31,165,654	54,133,798	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,243	5,958	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	96.6	80.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,752	5,870	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	515	1,930	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.5° N	21.6° N	Would win