A little knowledge. An empire of 18.

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

   United Arab EmiratesvsPoland

   Proximity to equator: 23.5° N vs 51.9° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Poland.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United Arab Emirates against Poland

   Category	United Arab Emirates	Poland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	83,600	312,685	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,483,751	36,687,353	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	78,020	48,473	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.4	117.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,905	2,499	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,318	440	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	23.5° N	51.9° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   RussiavsLibya

   Population: 143,826,130 vs 7,305,659 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Libya.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Russia against Libya

   Category	Russia	Libya	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,098,242	1,759,540	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	143,826,130	7,305,659	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	44,299	13,858	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	8.4	4.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,642	2,267	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37,653	1,770	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	63.6° N	26.1° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   MyanmarvsEritrea

   Population: 54,133,798 vs 3,470,390 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Eritrea.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Myanmar against Eritrea

   Category	Myanmar	Eritrea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	676,578	117,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	54,133,798	3,470,390	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	5,958	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	80.0	29.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,870	3,018	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,930	2,234	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	21.6° N	16.0° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   JapanvsJordan

   Population: 124,516,650 vs 11,439,213 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Jordan.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Japan against Jordan

   Category	Japan	Jordan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	377,915	89,342	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	124,516,650	11,439,213	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	52,726	11,451	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	329.5	128.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,776	1,854	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	29,751	26	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	36.7° N	30.7° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   New ZealandvsAfghanistan

   Wealth per person: 54,950 vs 2,204 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Afghanistan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for New Zealand against Afghanistan

   Category	New Zealand	Afghanistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	652,230	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	41,454,761	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	54,950	2,204	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	63.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	7,492	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	15,134	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.3° S	34.3° N	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   SomaliavsGuyana

   Density: 28.8 vs 3.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guyana.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Somalia against Guyana

   Category	Somalia	Guyana	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	637,657	214,969	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,358,615	826,353	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,557	54,774	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	28.8	3.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,460	2,775	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,025	459	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	2.6° N	2.7° N	Would win