A little knowledge. An empire of 13.

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 1Tied12 countries · 4 lives left

   BelarusvsNorth Korea

   Flag colours: 3 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   North Korea became contested.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Belarus against North Korea

   Category	Belarus	North Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	207,600	120,538	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,178,298	26,418,204	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	30,860	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	44.2	219.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	346	2,744	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,495	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.8° N	39.9° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   GermanyvsThailand

   Wealth per person: 72,262 vs 23,598 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Thailand, North Korea.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Germany against Thailand

   Category	Germany	Thailand	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	357,022	513,120	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	83,287,273	71,702,435	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	72,262	23,598	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	233.3	139.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,963	2,565	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,389	3,219	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	51.0° N	15.5° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   NetherlandsvsQatar

   Wealth per person: 80,392 vs 129,025 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Netherlands.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Netherlands against Qatar

   Category	Netherlands	Qatar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	41,543	11,586	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,877,117	2,656,032	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	80,392	129,025	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	430.3	229.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	322	103	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	451	563	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	52.2° N	25.1° N	Would lose