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

   SpainvsSyria

   Area: 505,370 vs 187,437 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Syria.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Spain against Syria

   Category	Spain	Syria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	505,370	187,437	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	48,352,528	23,594,623	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	55,661	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.7	125.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,718	2,814	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,964	193	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.0° N	35.0° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   BangladeshvsGambia

   Population: 171,466,990 vs 2,697,845 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Gambia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bangladesh against Gambia

   Category	Bangladesh	Gambia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	148,460	11,300	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	171,466,990	2,697,845	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,155	3,292	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,155.0	238.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,060	63	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	580	80	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.3° N	13.6° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   RussiavsPanama

   Area: 17,098,242 vs 75,420 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Panama.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Russia against Panama

   Category	Russia	Panama	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	17,098,242	75,420	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	143,826,130	4,458,759	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	44,299	39,846	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	8.4	59.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,642	3,475	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37,653	2,490	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	63.6° N	8.4° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   Saudi ArabiavsOman

   Area: 2,149,690 vs 309,500 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Oman.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Saudi Arabia against Oman

   Category	Saudi Arabia	Oman	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,149,690	309,500	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,702,731	5,049,269	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	71,624	41,980	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	15.7	16.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,000	3,004	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,640	2,092	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.5° N	22.1° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   SomaliavsNorway

   Proximity to equator: 2.6° N vs 61.5° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Norway.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Somalia against Norway

   Category	Somalia	Norway	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	637,657	323,802	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,358,615	5,519,601	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,557	107,768	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	28.8	17.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,460	2,469	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,025	25,148	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	2.6° N	61.5° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   SenegalvsMyanmar

   Wealth per person: 4,782 vs 5,958 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Senegal.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Senegal against Myanmar

   Category	Senegal	Myanmar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	196,722	676,578	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,077,573	54,133,798	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,782	5,958	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	91.9	80.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	648	5,870	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	531	1,930	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.2° N	21.6° N	Would win