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.

21. 21
    Round 21Won29 countries · 2 lives left

    VenezuelavsPhilippines

    Highest peak: 4,978 vs 2,954 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Philippines.

    What else would have worked? 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Venezuela against Philippines

    Category	Venezuela	Philippines	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	912,050	300,000	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	28,300,854	114,891,199	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.	Unavailable	10,995	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	31.0	383.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,978	2,954	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,800	36,289	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.2° N	17.0° N	Would win

22. 22
    Round 22Won30 countries · 2 lives left

    EritreavsLithuania

    Area: 117,600 vs 65,300 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Lithuania.

    What else would have worked? 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Eritrea against Lithuania

    Category	Eritrea	Lithuania	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	117,600	65,300	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,470,390	2,871,585	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	Unavailable	52,720	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.5	44.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,018	294	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,234	90	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	16.0° N	55.1° N	Would win

23. 23
    Round 23Lost29 countries · 1 life left

    UkrainevsSouth Sudan

    Area: 603,550 vs 644,329 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Ukraine.

    What else would have worked? 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Ukraine against South Sudan

    Category	Ukraine	South Sudan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	603,550	644,329	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	37,732,836	11,483,374	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	17,680	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	62.5	17.8	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,061	3,187	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,782	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	6	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	49.6° N	7.1° N	Would lose

24. 24
    Round 24Lost28 countries · 0 lives left

    SurinamevsChile

    Area: 163,820 vs 756,102 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Suriname.

    What else would have worked? 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Suriname against Chile

    Category	Suriname	Chile	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	163,820	756,102	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	628,886	19,658,835	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,128	33,174	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.8	26.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,230	6,893	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	386	6,435	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	4.1° N	23.4° S	Would win