A little knowledge. An empire of 29.

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

   TogovsIran

   Density: 144.8 vs 55.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Iran.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Togo against Iran

   Category	Togo	Iran	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,785	1,648,195	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,223,850	90,608,707	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,572	18,933	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	144.8	55.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	986	5,625	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	56	2,440	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.9° N	32.1° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   GabonvsCanada

   Density: 9.3 vs 4.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Canada.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gabon against Canada

   Category	Gabon	Canada	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	267,667	9,984,670	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,484,789	40,049,088	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	64,962	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9.3	4.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	5,959	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	202,080	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	58.8° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   NicaraguavsMorocco

   Flag colours: 10 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Morocco.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Nicaragua against Morocco

   Category	Nicaragua	Morocco	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	130,370	446,550	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,823,613	37,712,505	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,327	9,903	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	52.3	84.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,085	4,165	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	910	1,835	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	10	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° N	31.9° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   FinlandvsBosnia and Herzegovina

   Coastline: 1,250 vs 20 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bosnia and Herzegovina.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Finland against Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Category	Finland	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	338,145	51,197	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,583,911	3,185,073	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	63,467	23,376	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.5	62.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,328	2,386	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,250	20	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	63.3° N	44.1° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   UzbekistanvsSouth Africa

   Highest peak: 4,643 vs 3,450 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered South Africa.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Uzbekistan against South Africa

   Category	Uzbekistan	South Africa	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	447,400	1,219,090	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	35,652,307	63,212,384	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,679	15,212	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	79.7	51.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,643	3,450	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,798	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.5° N	30.2° S	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   BruneivsHaiti

   Wealth per person: 85,103 vs 3,265 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Haiti.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Brunei against Haiti

   Category	Brunei	Haiti	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,765	27,750	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	458,949	11,637,398	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	85,103	3,265	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	79.6	419.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,850	2,674	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	161	1,771	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	7	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	4.5° N	19.2° N	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   United StatesvsBhutan

   Population: 336,755,052 vs 786,385 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bhutan.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United States against Bhutan

   Category	United States	Bhutan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,833,517	38,394	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	336,755,052	786,385	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	82,587	16,229	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	34.2	20.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,190	7,570	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	19,924	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.1° N	27.5° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   ZambiavsLithuania

   Area: 752,618 vs 65,300 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Lithuania.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Zambia against Lithuania

   Category	Zambia	Lithuania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	752,618	65,300	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	20,723,965	2,871,585	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,080	52,720	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	27.5	44.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,330	294	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	90	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	14.7° S	55.1° N	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   GuatemalavsCentral African Republic

   Population: 18,124,838 vs 5,152,421 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Central African Republic.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Guatemala against Central African Republic

   Category	Guatemala	Central African Republic	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	108,889	622,984	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	18,124,838	5,152,421	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,752	1,258	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	166.5	8.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,220	1,410	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	400	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	5	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.0° N	7.0° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    EritreavsEswatini

    Population: 3,470,390 vs 1,230,506 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Eswatini.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Eritrea against Eswatini

    Category	Eritrea	Eswatini	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	117,600	17,364	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,470,390	1,230,506	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	Unavailable	11,309	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.5	70.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,018	1,862	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,234	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	6	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	16.0° N	26.6° S	Would win

11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    MyanmarvsBurkina Faso

    Coastline: 1,930 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Burkina Faso.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Myanmar against Burkina Faso

    Category	Myanmar	Burkina Faso	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	676,578	274,200	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	54,133,798	23,025,776	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	5,958	2,762	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	80.0	84.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,870	749	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,930	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	21.6° N	12.8° N	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    MalivsSpain

    Area: 1,240,192 vs 505,370 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Spain.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Mali against Spain

    Category	Mali	Spain	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,240,192	505,370	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	23,769,127	48,352,528	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,178	55,661	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.2	95.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,155	3,718	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	4,964	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	10	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	18.6° N	40.0° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    TogovsKazakhstan

    Density: 144.8 vs 7.5 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Kazakhstan.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Togo against Kazakhstan

    Category	Togo	Kazakhstan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,785	2,724,900	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,223,850	20,330,104	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,572	38,547	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	144.8	7.5	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	986	7,010	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	56	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.9° N	48.5° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won26 countries · 4 lives left

    IranvsTunisia

    Population: 90,608,707 vs 12,200,431 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Tunisia.

    Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Iran against Tunisia

    Category	Iran	Tunisia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,648,195	163,610	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	90,608,707	12,200,431	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	18,933	14,052	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	55.0	74.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,625	1,544	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,440	1,148	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	35.3° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Won27 countries · 4 lives left

    GabonvsCosta Rica

    Area: 267,667 vs 51,100 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Costa Rica.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Gabon against Costa Rica

    Category	Gabon	Costa Rica	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	267,667	51,100	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,484,789	5,105,525	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	29,248	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	9.3	99.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	3,819	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	1,290	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	10.1° N	Would win

16. 16
    Round 16Won28 countries · 4 lives left

    CanadavsEcuador

    Area: 9,984,670 vs 283,561 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Ecuador.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Canada against Ecuador

    Category	Canada	Ecuador	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,984,670	283,561	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	40,049,088	17,980,083	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	64,962	15,907	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.0	63.4	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,959	6,267	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	202,080	2,237	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	11	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	58.8° N	1.2° S	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won29 countries · 4 lives left

    NicaraguavsMalawi

    Wealth per person: 8,327 vs 1,832 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Malawi.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Nicaragua against Malawi

    Category	Nicaragua	Malawi	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	130,370	118,484	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,823,613	21,104,482	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	8,327	1,832	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	52.3	178.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,085	3,002	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	910	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° N	13.4° S	Would win