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

   YemenvsRussia

   Proximity to equator: 15.3° N vs 63.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Russia.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Yemen against Russia

   Category	Yemen	Russia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	527,968	17,098,242	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	39,390,799	143,826,130	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	Unavailable	44,299	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	74.6	8.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,666	5,642	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,906	37,653	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.3° N	63.6° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   PakistanvsSouth Sudan

   Population: 247,504,495 vs 11,483,374 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered South Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Pakistan against South Sudan

   Category	Pakistan	South Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	796,095	644,329	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	247,504,495	11,483,374	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	6,019	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	310.9	17.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,611	3,187	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,046	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.8° N	7.1° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   LatviavsSyria

   Coastline: 498 vs 193 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Syria.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Latvia against Syria

   Category	Latvia	Syria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	64,589	187,437	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,883,710	23,594,623	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	42,784	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.2	125.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	312	2,814	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	498	193	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	56.6° N	35.0° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   CyprusvsSerbia

   Coastline: 648 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Serbia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Cyprus against Serbia

   Category	Cyprus	Serbia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,251	77,474	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,344,976	6,623,183	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	59,875	29,777	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	145.4	85.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,951	2,169	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	648	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.9° N	44.2° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   AlbaniavsCuba

   Coastline: 362 vs 3,735 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Albania.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Albania against Cuba

   Category	Albania	Cuba	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	28,748	110,860	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,411,658	11,019,931	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	24,848	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	83.9	99.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,764	1,974	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	362	3,735	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.7° N	20.6° N	Would lose