A little knowledge. An empire of 30.

Every comparison uses this expedition’s original data and rules. “Would win” describes this matchup only; a different choice would change the later journey.

21. 21
    Round 21Won27 countries · 1 life left

    ItalyvsAzerbaijan

    Coastline: 7,600 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Azerbaijan.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Italy against Azerbaijan

    Category	Italy	Azerbaijan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	301,340	86,600	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	58,984,216	10,153,958	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	60,350	23,671	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	195.7	117.3	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,748	4,466	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,600	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.1° N	40.5° N	Would lose

22. 22
    Round 22Won28 countries · 1 life left

    HungaryvsNigeria

    Wealth per person: 46,376 vs 8,712 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Nigeria.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Hungary against Nigeria

    Category	Hungary	Nigeria	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	93,028	923,768	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,592,186	227,882,945	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	46,376	8,712	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	103.1	246.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,014	2,419	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	853	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.3° N	9.4° N	Would lose

23. 23
    Round 23Won29 countries · 1 life left

    BurundivsMauritania

    Density: 491.9 vs 4.9 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Mauritania.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Burundi against Mauritania

    Category	Burundi	Mauritania	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	27,830	1,030,700	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	13,689,450	5,022,441	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,147	6,972	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	491.9	4.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,685	915	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	754	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.4° S	19.4° N	Would win

24. 24
    Round 24Tied29 countries · 1 life left

    LesothovsPhilippines

    Flag colours: 4 vs 4 colours · Higher wins ↑

    Philippines became contested.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Lesotho against Philippines

    Category	Lesotho	Philippines	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	30,355	300,000	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,311,472	114,891,199	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,880	10,995	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	76.1	383.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,482	2,954	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	36,289	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.4° S	17.0° N	Would lose

25. 25
    Round 25Won31 countries · 1 life left

    Trinidad and TobagovsNorway

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

    Conquered Norway, Philippines.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    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
    Densityper 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

26. 26
    Round 26Lost30 countries · 0 lives left

    ZimbabwevsYemen

    Density: 41.8 vs 74.6 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Zimbabwe.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Zimbabwe against Yemen

    Category	Zimbabwe	Yemen	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	390,757	527,968	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	16,340,822	39,390,799	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	5,796	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	41.8	74.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,592	3,666	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,906	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.0° S	15.3° N	Would lose