A little knowledge. An empire of 28.

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

   SenegalvsTrinidad and Tobago

   Area: 196,722 vs 5,128 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Trinidad and Tobago.

   What else would have worked? 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Senegal against Trinidad and Tobago

   Category	Senegal	Trinidad and Tobago	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	196,722	5,128	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,077,573	1,367,510	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,782	34,652	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	91.9	266.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	648	940	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	531	362	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.2° N	10.3° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   ThailandvsNorth Korea

   Proximity to equator: 15.5° N vs 39.9° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered North Korea.

   What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Thailand against North Korea

   Category	Thailand	North Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	513,120	120,538	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	71,702,435	26,418,204	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	23,598	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	139.7	219.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,565	2,744	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,219	2,495	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.5° N	39.9° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   KuwaitvsTanzania

   Wealth per person: 53,083 vs 4,022 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Tanzania.

   What else would have worked? 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Kuwait against Tanzania

   Category	Kuwait	Tanzania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,818	947,300	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	4,853,420	66,617,606	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	53,083	4,022	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	272.4	70.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	300	5,895	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	499	1,424	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.4° N	5.5° S	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   SerbiavsPanama

   Area: 77,474 vs 75,420 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Panama.

   What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Serbia against Panama

   Category	Serbia	Panama	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	77,474	75,420	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,623,183	4,458,759	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	29,777	39,846	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	85.5	59.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,169	3,475	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,490	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	44.2° N	8.4° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   VenezuelavsEritrea

   Highest peak: 4,978 vs 3,018 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Eritrea.

   What else would have worked? 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Venezuela against Eritrea

   Category	Venezuela	Eritrea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	912,050	117,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	28,300,854	3,470,390	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.. Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	31.0	29.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,978	3,018	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,800	2,234	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.2° N	16.0° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   UkrainevsSuriname

   Area: 603,550 vs 163,820 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Suriname.

   What else would have worked? 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ukraine against Suriname

   Category	Ukraine	Suriname	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	603,550	163,820	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	37,732,836	628,886	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,680	21,128	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	62.5	3.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,061	1,230	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,782	386	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	49.6° N	4.1° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   PalestinevsUganda

   Density: 830.5 vs 201.9 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Uganda.

   What else would have worked? 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Palestine against Uganda

   Category	Palestine	Uganda	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	6,220	241,038	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,165,775	48,656,601	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,179	3,100	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	830.5	201.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,020	5,110	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	40	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	2.0° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   Sri LankavsMalaysia

   Flag colours: 5 vs 4 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Malaysia.

   What else would have worked? 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Sri Lanka against Malaysia

   Category	Sri Lanka	Malaysia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	65,610	329,847	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	22,037,000	35,126,298	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,512	36,497	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	335.9	106.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,524	4,095	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,340	4,675	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	4.4° N	Would lose

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   MalivsSomalia

   Area: 1,240,192 vs 637,657 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Somalia.

   What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mali against Somalia

   Category	Mali	Somalia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,240,192	637,657	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	23,769,127	18,358,615	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,178	1,557	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.2	28.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,155	2,460	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	3,025	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	18.6° N	2.6° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Lost20 countries · 3 lives left

    ParaguayvsTurkmenistan

    Wealth per person: 17,585 vs 19,645 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Paraguay.

    What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Paraguay against Turkmenistan

    Category	Paraguay	Turkmenistan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	406,752	488,100	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,844,146	7,364,438	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	17,585	19,645	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.8	15.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	842	3,139	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	5	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	21.6° S	39.9° N	Would win

11. 11
    Round 11Won21 countries · 3 lives left

    BoliviavsNicaragua

    Highest peak: 6,542 vs 2,085 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Nicaragua.

    What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Bolivia against Nicaragua

    Category	Bolivia	Nicaragua	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,098,581	130,370	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	12,244,159	6,823,613	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,903	8,327	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	11.1	52.3	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6,542	2,085	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	910	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	10	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	16.7° S	12.6° N	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Won22 countries · 3 lives left

    EswatinivsCroatia

    Density: 70.9 vs 68.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Croatia.

    What else would have worked? 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Eswatini against Croatia

    Category	Eswatini	Croatia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,364	56,594	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,230,506	3,859,686	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,309	47,760	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	70.9	68.2	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,862	1,831	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	5,835	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	6	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	26.6° S	45.8° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won23 countries · 3 lives left

    SenegalvsDenmark

    Population: 18,077,573 vs 5,946,952 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Denmark.

    What else would have worked? 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Senegal against Denmark

    Category	Senegal	Denmark	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	196,722	43,094	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	18,077,573	5,946,952	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,782	77,425	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	91.9	138.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	648	171	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	531	7,314	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.2° N	55.9° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won24 countries · 3 lives left

    Trinidad and TobagovsNepal

    Coastline: 362 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Nepal.

    What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Trinidad and Tobago against Nepal

    Category	Trinidad and Tobago	Nepal	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,128	147,181	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,367,510	29,694,614	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	34,652	5,400	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	266.7	201.8	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	940	8,849	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	362	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.3° N	29.0° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Won25 countries · 3 lives left

    ThailandvsAustralia

    Population: 71,702,435 vs 26,659,922 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Australia.

    What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Thailand against Australia

    Category	Thailand	Australia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	513,120	7,741,220	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	71,702,435	26,659,922	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	23,598	72,273	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	139.7	3.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,565	2,228	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,219	25,760	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.5° N	23.1° S	Would win

16. 16
    Round 16Lost24 countries · 2 lives left

    North KoreavsPhilippines

    Highest peak: 2,744 vs 2,954 m · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: North Korea.

    What else would have worked? 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for North Korea against Philippines

    Category	North Korea	Philippines	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	120,538	300,000	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,418,204	114,891,199	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	Unavailable	10,995	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	219.2	383.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,744	2,954	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,495	36,289	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.9° N	17.0° N	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won25 countries · 2 lives left

    KuwaitvsIran

    Wealth per person: 53,083 vs 18,933 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Iran.

    What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Kuwait against Iran

    Category	Kuwait	Iran	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,818	1,648,195	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	4,853,420	90,608,707	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	53,083	18,933	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	272.4	55.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	300	5,625	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	499	2,440	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.4° N	32.1° N	Would win

18. 18
    Round 18Won26 countries · 2 lives left

    TanzaniavsTogo

    Highest peak: 5,895 vs 986 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Togo.

    What else would have worked? 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Tanzania against Togo

    Category	Tanzania	Togo	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	947,300	56,785	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	66,617,606	8,223,850	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,022	3,572	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	70.3	144.8	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,895	986	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,424	56	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	5.5° S	8.9° N	Would win

19. 19
    Round 19Won27 countries · 2 lives left

    SerbiavsQatar

    Area: 77,474 vs 11,586 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Qatar.

    What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Serbia against Qatar

    Category	Serbia	Qatar	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	77,474	11,586	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,623,183	2,656,032	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	29,777	129,025	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	85.5	229.2	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,169	103	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	563	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	44.2° N	25.1° N	Would lose

20. 20
    Round 20Won28 countries · 2 lives left

    PanamavsDjibouti

    Coastline: 2,490 vs 314 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Djibouti.

    What else would have worked? 6 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Panama against Djibouti

    Category	Panama	Djibouti	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	75,420	23,200	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	4,458,759	1,152,944	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	39,846	7,232	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.1	49.7	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,475	2,021	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,490	314	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.4° N	11.4° N	Would win