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

   EcuadorvsSouth Sudan

   Proximity to equator: 1.2° S vs 7.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered South Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ecuador against South Sudan

   Category	Ecuador	South Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	283,561	644,329	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,980,083	11,483,374	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	15,907	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	63.4	17.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,267	3,187	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,237	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	11	6	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	1.2° S	7.1° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   FijivsCameroon

   Coastline: 1,129 vs 402 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Cameroon.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Fiji against Cameroon

   Category	Fiji	Cameroon	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	18,274	475,440	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	924,145	28,372,687	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,656	5,415	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	50.6	59.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,324	4,045	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,129	402	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	8	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.8° S	4.5° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   EstoniavsIreland

   Coastline: 3,794 vs 1,448 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Estonia against Ireland

   Category	Estonia	Ireland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	45,228	70,273	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,370,286	5,311,538	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	48,848	133,440	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	30.3	75.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	318	1,041	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,794	1,448	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	58.6° N	53.1° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   LesothovsRussia

   Density: 76.1 vs 8.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Russia.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Lesotho against Russia

   Category	Lesotho	Russia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	30,355	17,098,242	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,311,472	143,826,130	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,880	44,299	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	76.1	8.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,482	5,642	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	37,653	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.4° S	63.6° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   New ZealandvsCanada

   Flag colours: 3 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Canada.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for New Zealand against Canada

   Category	New Zealand	Canada	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	9,984,670	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	40,049,088	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	54,950	64,962	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	4.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	5,959	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	15,134	202,080	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.3° S	58.8° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   AustraliavsCentral African Republic

   Wealth per person: 72,273 vs 1,258 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Central African Republic.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Australia against Central African Republic

   Category	Australia	Central African Republic	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	7,741,220	622,984	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,659,922	5,152,421	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	72,273	1,258	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.4	8.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,228	1,410	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	25,760	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.1° S	7.0° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Lost17 countries · 3 lives left

   DjiboutivsCôte d’Ivoire

   Density: 49.7 vs 96.6 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Djibouti.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Djibouti against Côte d’Ivoire

   Category	Djibouti	Côte d’Ivoire	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	23,200	322,463	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,152,944	31,165,654	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,232	7,243	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	49.7	96.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,021	1,752	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	314	515	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	11.4° N	7.5° N	Would lose