A little knowledge. An empire of 16.

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

   BotswanavsVanuatu

   Area: 581,730 vs 12,189 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vanuatu.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Botswana against Vanuatu

   Category	Botswana	Vanuatu	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	581,730	12,189	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,480,244	320,409	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,029	4,202	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.3	26.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,495	1,877	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,528	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° S	15.4° S	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   UzbekistanvsUnited Arab Emirates

   Highest peak: 4,643 vs 1,905 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered United Arab Emirates.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Uzbekistan against United Arab Emirates

   Category	Uzbekistan	United Arab Emirates	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	447,400	83,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	35,652,307	10,483,751	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,679	78,020	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	79.7	125.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,643	1,905	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,318	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.5° N	23.5° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   GabonvsAustralia

   Density: 9.3 vs 3.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Australia.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Gabon against Australia

   Category	Gabon	Australia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	267,667	7,741,220	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,484,789	26,659,922	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	72,273	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9.3	3.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	2,228	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	25,760	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	23.1° S	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   EthiopiavsCôte d’Ivoire

   Population: 128,691,692 vs 31,165,654 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Côte d’Ivoire.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ethiopia against Côte d’Ivoire

   Category	Ethiopia	Côte d’Ivoire	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,104,300	322,463	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	128,691,692	31,165,654	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,063	7,243	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	116.5	96.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,550	1,752	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	515	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.5° N	7.5° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   MoldovavsNigeria

   Wealth per person: 17,751 vs 8,712 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Nigeria.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Moldova against Nigeria

   Category	Moldova	Nigeria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	33,851	923,768	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,457,783	227,882,945	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	17,751	8,712	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	72.6	246.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	430	2,419	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	853	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.5° N	9.4° N	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   BahamasvsMozambique

   Density: 28.8 vs 42.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Bahamas.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bahamas against Mozambique

   Category	Bahamas	Mozambique	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,880	799,380	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	399,440	33,635,160	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	39,122	1,680	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	28.8	42.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	64	2,436	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,542	2,470	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.7° N	14.0° S	Would lose