A little knowledge. An empire of 33.

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

   Trinidad and TobagovsNorway

   Proximity to equator: 10.3° N vs 61.5° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Norway.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Trinidad and Tobago against Norway

   Category	Trinidad and Tobago	Norway	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,128	323,802	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,367,510	5,519,601	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	34,652	107,768	Would lose
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	266.7	17.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	940	2,469	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	362	25,148	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	10.3° N	61.5° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   IcelandvsBhutan

   Wealth per person: 82,257 vs 16,229 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bhutan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Iceland against Bhutan

   Category	Iceland	Bhutan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	103,000	38,394	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	385,663	786,385	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	82,257	16,229	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.7	20.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,110	7,570	Would lose
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	4,970	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	64.7° N	27.5° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   AustraliavsGuinea-Bissau

   Wealth per person: 72,273 vs 2,956 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guinea-Bissau.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Australia against Guinea-Bissau

   Category	Australia	Guinea-Bissau	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	7,741,220	36,125	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,659,922	2,153,339	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	72,273	2,956	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.4	59.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,228	277	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	25,760	350	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.1° S	12.1° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   GabonvsGhana

   Area: 267,667 vs 238,533 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ghana.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gabon against Ghana

   Category	Gabon	Ghana	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	267,667	238,533	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,484,789	33,787,914	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	7,563	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	9.3	141.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	885	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	539	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	7.0° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   BrazilvsTajikistan

   Population: 211,140,729 vs 10,389,799 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Tajikistan.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Brazil against Tajikistan

   Category	Brazil	Tajikistan	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	8,515,770	144,100	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	211,140,729	10,389,799	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,193	4,968	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	24.8	72.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,994	7,495	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,491	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° S	38.3° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   Bosnia and HerzegovinavsSouth Korea

   Flag colours: 3 vs 4 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Bosnia and Herzegovina.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Bosnia and Herzegovina against South Korea

   Category	Bosnia and Herzegovina	South Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	51,197	99,720	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,185,073	51,712,619	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	23,376	57,430	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	62.2	518.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,386	1,950	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	20	2,413	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	44.1° N	36.3° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won17 countries · 3 lives left

   EritreavsBelize

   Population: 3,470,390 vs 411,106 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Belize.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Eritrea against Belize

   Category	Eritrea	Belize	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	117,600	22,966	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,470,390	411,106	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	Unavailable	13,741	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.5	17.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,018	1,124	Would win
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	2,234	386	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	12	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	16.0° N	17.0° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won18 countries · 3 lives left

   MoroccovsArmenia

   Population: 37,712,505 vs 2,964,300 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Armenia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Morocco against Armenia

   Category	Morocco	Armenia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	446,550	29,743	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	37,712,505	2,964,300	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,903	21,552	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	84.5	99.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,165	4,090	Would win
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	1,835	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	31.9° N	40.6° N	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won19 countries · 3 lives left

   PolandvsNorth Korea

   Population: 36,687,353 vs 26,418,204 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered North Korea.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Poland against North Korea

   Category	Poland	North Korea	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	312,685	120,538	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	36,687,353	26,418,204	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	48,473	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	117.3	219.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,499	2,744	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	440	2,495	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	51.9° N	39.9° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won20 countries · 3 lives left

    CyprusvsKenya

    Density: 145.4 vs 95.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Kenya.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Cyprus against Kenya

    Category	Cyprus	Kenya	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,251	580,367	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,344,976	55,339,003	Would lose
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	59,875	6,322	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	145.4	95.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,951	5,199	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	648	536	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.9° N	0.4° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won21 countries · 3 lives left

    NetherlandsvsSyria

    Coastline: 451 vs 193 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Syria.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Netherlands against Syria

    Category	Netherlands	Syria	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	41,543	187,437	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,877,117	23,594,623	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	80,392	Unavailable	Unavailable
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	430.3	125.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	322	2,814	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	451	193	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	52.2° N	35.0° N	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Won22 countries · 3 lives left

    Burkina FasovsKuwait

    Population: 23,025,776 vs 4,853,420 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Kuwait.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Burkina Faso against Kuwait

    Category	Burkina Faso	Kuwait	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	274,200	17,818	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	23,025,776	4,853,420	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,762	53,083	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	84.0	272.4	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	749	300	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	499	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.8° N	29.4° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won23 countries · 3 lives left

    Trinidad and TobagovsGambia

    Highest peak: 940 vs 63 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Gambia.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Trinidad and Tobago against Gambia

    Category	Trinidad and Tobago	Gambia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,128	11,300	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,367,510	2,697,845	Would lose
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	34,652	3,292	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	266.7	238.7	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	940	63	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	362	80	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.3° N	13.6° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won24 countries · 3 lives left

    NorwayvsYemen

    Coastline: 25,148 vs 1,906 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Yemen.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Norway against Yemen

    Category	Norway	Yemen	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	323,802	527,968	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,519,601	39,390,799	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	107,768	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.0	74.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,469	3,666	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	25,148	1,906	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	61.5° N	15.3° N	Would lose

15. 15
    Round 15Won25 countries · 3 lives left

    IcelandvsLesotho

    Wealth per person: 82,257 vs 2,880 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Lesotho.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Iceland against Lesotho

    Category	Iceland	Lesotho	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	103,000	30,355	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	385,663	2,311,472	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	82,257	2,880	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.7	76.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,110	3,482	Would lose
    CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	4,970	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	64.7° N	29.4° S	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Won26 countries · 3 lives left

    BhutanvsKyrgyzstan

    Highest peak: 7,570 vs 7,439 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Kyrgyzstan.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Bhutan against Kyrgyzstan

    Category	Bhutan	Kyrgyzstan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	38,394	199,951	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	786,385	7,099,750	Would lose
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	16,229	7,304	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	20.5	35.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,570	7,439	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.5° N	41.7° N	Would win

17. 17
    Round 17Won27 countries · 3 lives left

    AustraliavsHonduras

    Wealth per person: 72,273 vs 7,184 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Honduras.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Australia against Honduras

    Category	Australia	Honduras	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	7,741,220	112,090	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,659,922	10,644,851	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	72,273	7,184	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.4	95.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,228	2,870	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	25,760	823	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.1° S	14.7° N	Would lose

18. 18
    Round 18Lost26 countries · 2 lives left

    Guinea-BissauvsEcuador

    Flag colours: 4 vs 11 colours · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Guinea-Bissau.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Guinea-Bissau against Ecuador

    Category	Guinea-Bissau	Ecuador	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	36,125	283,561	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,153,339	17,980,083	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,956	15,907	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.6	63.4	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	277	6,267	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	350	2,237	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	11	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.1° N	1.2° S	Would lose

19. 19
    Round 19Won27 countries · 2 lives left

    GabonvsComoros

    Population: 2,484,789 vs 850,387 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Comoros.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Gabon against Comoros

    Category	Gabon	Comoros	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	267,667	2,235	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,484,789	850,387	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	3,897	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	9.3	380.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	2,360	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	340	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	11.7° S	Would win

20. 20
    Round 20Won28 countries · 2 lives left

    GhanavsRepublic of the Congo

    Density: 141.6 vs 18.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Republic of the Congo.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Ghana against Republic of the Congo

    Category	Ghana	Republic of the Congo	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,533	342,000	Would lose
    PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	33,787,914	6,182,885	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,563	6,856	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	141.6	18.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	885	1,020	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	539	169	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	0.1° N	Would lose