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

   Sri LankavsAustria

   Coastline: 1,340 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Austria.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Sri Lanka against Austria

   Category	Sri Lanka	Austria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	65,610	83,871	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	22,037,000	9,131,761	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,512	74,261	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	335.9	108.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,524	3,798	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,340	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	47.7° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   ChinavsSomalia

   Area: 9,596,960 vs 637,657 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Somalia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against Somalia

   Category	China	Somalia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,596,960	637,657	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,410,710,000	18,358,615	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	1,557	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	28.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	2,460	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	3,025	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	2.6° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   BoliviavsSpain

   Highest peak: 6,542 vs 3,718 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Spain.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bolivia against Spain

   Category	Bolivia	Spain	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,098,581	505,370	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	12,244,159	48,352,528	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,903	55,661	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	11.1	95.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6,542	3,718	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	4,964	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	10	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	16.7° S	40.0° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   IndonesiavsFrance

   Coastline: 54,716 vs 3,427 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered France.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Indonesia against France

   Category	Indonesia	France	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,904,569	551,500	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	281,190,067	65,925,961	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	15,428	60,927	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.6	119.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,884	4,810	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	54,716	3,427	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.0° S	46.7° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   United Arab EmiratesvsSudan

   Highest peak: 1,905 vs 3,042 m · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: United Arab Emirates.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United Arab Emirates against Sudan

   Category	United Arab Emirates	Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	83,600	1,861,484	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,483,751	50,042,791	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	78,020	2,423	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.4	26.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,905	3,042	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,318	853	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.5° N	16.6° N	Would lose