A little knowledge. An empire of 15.

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

   ChinavsQatar

   Population: 1,410,710,000 vs 2,656,032 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Qatar.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against Qatar

   Category	China	Qatar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,596,960	11,586	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,410,710,000	2,656,032	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	129,025	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	229.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	103	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	563	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	25.1° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   DR CongovsMauritania

   Population: 105,789,731 vs 5,022,441 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mauritania.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for DR Congo against Mauritania

   Category	DR Congo	Mauritania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,344,858	1,030,700	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	105,789,731	5,022,441	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,732	6,972	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	4.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	915	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37	754	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.9° S	19.4° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   LibyavsSudan

   Wealth per person: 13,858 vs 2,423 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Libya against Sudan

   Category	Libya	Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,759,540	1,861,484	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,305,659	50,042,791	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	13,858	2,423	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.2	26.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,267	3,042	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,770	853	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	26.1° N	16.6° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   North KoreavsMongolia

   Density: 219.2 vs 2.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mongolia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for North Korea against Mongolia

   Category	North Korea	Mongolia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	120,538	1,564,116	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,418,204	3,481,145	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	Unavailable	18,020	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	219.2	2.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,744	4,374	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,495	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.9° N	46.0° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   PanamavsRomania

   Density: 59.1 vs 80.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Panama.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Panama against Romania

   Category	Panama	Romania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	75,420	238,391	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	4,458,759	19,061,062	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	39,846	45,982	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	59.1	80.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,475	2,544	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,490	225	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.4° N	45.7° N	Would win