A little knowledge. An empire of 16.

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

   NicaraguavsSuriname

   Population: 6,823,613 vs 628,886 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Suriname.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Nicaragua against Suriname

   Category	Nicaragua	Suriname	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	130,370	163,820	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6,823,613	628,886	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,327	21,128	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	52.3	3.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,085	1,230	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	910	386	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° N	4.1° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   NigeriavsUnited States

   Proximity to equator: 9.4° N vs 39.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered United States.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Nigeria against United States

   Category	Nigeria	United States	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	923,768	9,833,517	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	227,882,945	336,755,052	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,712	82,587	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	246.7	34.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,419	6,190	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	853	19,924	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	9.4° N	39.1° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   Costa RicavsSolomon Islands

   Area: 51,100 vs 28,896 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Solomon Islands.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Costa Rica against Solomon Islands

   Category	Costa Rica	Solomon Islands	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	51,100	28,896	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,105,525	800,005	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	29,248	2,599	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	99.9	27.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,819	2,335	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,290	5,313	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.1° N	9.6° S	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   GermanyvsBrunei

   Area: 357,022 vs 5,765 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Brunei.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Germany against Brunei

   Category	Germany	Brunei	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	357,022	5,765	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	83,287,273	458,949	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	72,262	85,103	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	233.3	79.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,963	1,850	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,389	161	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	51.0° N	4.5° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   Papua New GuineavsAustria

   Area: 462,840 vs 83,871 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Austria.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Papua New Guinea against Austria

   Category	Papua New Guinea	Austria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	462,840	83,871	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,389,635	9,131,761	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,672	74,261	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	22.4	108.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,509	3,798	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,152	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	5.5° S	47.7° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   Côte d’IvoirevsSomalia

   Proximity to equator: 7.5° N vs 2.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Returned to the world: Côte d’Ivoire.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Côte d’Ivoire against Somalia

   Category	Côte d’Ivoire	Somalia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	322,463	637,657	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	31,165,654	18,358,615	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,243	1,557	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	96.6	28.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,752	2,460	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	515	3,025	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.5° N	2.6° N	Would lose