A little knowledge. An empire of 25.

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

   IrelandvsSlovenia

   Wealth per person: 133,440 vs 56,151 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Slovenia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ireland against Slovenia

   Category	Ireland	Slovenia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	70,273	20,273	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,311,538	2,120,461	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	133,440	56,151	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	75.6	104.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,041	2,864	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,448	46.6	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.1° N	46.0° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   MongoliavsBosnia and Herzegovina

   Area: 1,564,116 vs 51,197 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bosnia and Herzegovina.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mongolia against Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Category	Mongolia	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,564,116	51,197	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,481,145	3,185,073	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	18,020	23,376	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	2.2	62.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,374	2,386	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	20	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.0° N	44.1° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Tied14 countries · 4 lives left

   BahamasvsNorth Korea

   Flag colours: 3 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   North Korea became contested.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bahamas against North Korea

   Category	Bahamas	North Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,880	120,538	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	399,440	26,418,204	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	39,122	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	28.8	219.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	64	2,744	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,542	2,495	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.7° N	39.9° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   BrazilvsMoldova

   Population: 211,140,729 vs 2,457,783 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Moldova, North Korea.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Brazil against Moldova

   Category	Brazil	Moldova	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	8,515,770	33,851	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	211,140,729	2,457,783	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,193	17,751	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	24.8	72.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,994	430	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,491	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° S	47.5° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   New ZealandvsUruguay

   Wealth per person: 54,950 vs 34,546 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Uruguay.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for New Zealand against Uruguay

   Category	New Zealand	Uruguay	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	176,215	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	3,388,081	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	54,950	34,546	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	19.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	514	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	15,134	660	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.3° S	32.9° S	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   KyrgyzstanvsDenmark

   Highest peak: 7,439 vs 171 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Denmark.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Kyrgyzstan against Denmark

   Category	Kyrgyzstan	Denmark	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	199,951	43,094	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,099,750	5,946,952	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,304	77,425	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	35.5	138.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,439	171	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	7,314	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.7° N	55.9° N	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   EcuadorvsSenegal

   Proximity to equator: 1.2° S vs 15.2° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Senegal.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ecuador against Senegal

   Category	Ecuador	Senegal	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	283,561	196,722	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,980,083	18,077,573	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	15,907	4,782	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	63.4	91.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,267	648	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,237	531	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	11	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	1.2° S	15.2° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   MalaysiavsPeru

   Density: 106.5 vs 26.3 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Peru.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Malaysia against Peru

   Category	Malaysia	Peru	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	329,847	1,285,216	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	35,126,298	33,845,617	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	36,497	17,042	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	106.5	26.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,095	6,746	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,675	2,414	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	4.4° N	13.0° S	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   GermanyvsBulgaria

   Population: 83,287,273 vs 6,446,596 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bulgaria.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Germany against Bulgaria

   Category	Germany	Bulgaria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	357,022	110,879	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	83,287,273	6,446,596	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	72,262	38,829	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	233.3	58.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,963	2,925	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,389	354	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	51.0° N	42.5° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    GeorgiavsUzbekistan

    Highest peak: 5,193 vs 4,643 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Uzbekistan.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Georgia against Uzbekistan

    Category	Georgia	Uzbekistan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	69,700	447,400	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,715,483	35,652,307	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,093	11,679	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	53.3	79.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,193	4,643	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	310	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.4° N	41.5° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    SingaporevsDR Congo

    Density: 8,230.4 vs 45.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered DR Congo.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Singapore against DR Congo

    Category	Singapore	DR Congo	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	719	2,344,858	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,917,648	105,789,731	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	144,728	1,732	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	8,230.4	45.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	166	5,110	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	37	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.4° N	1.9° S	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    NicaraguavsBelize

    Population: 6,823,613 vs 411,106 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Belize.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Nicaragua against Belize

    Category	Nicaragua	Belize	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	130,370	22,966	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6,823,613	411,106	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,327	13,741	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	52.3	17.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,085	1,124	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	910	386	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	12	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° N	17.0° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    IrelandvsChad

    Wealth per person: 133,440 vs 2,703 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Chad.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Ireland against Chad

    Category	Ireland	Chad	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	70,273	1,284,000	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,311,538	19,319,064	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	133,440	2,703	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	75.6	15.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,041	3,445	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,448	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.1° N	17.3° N	Would lose

14. 14
    Round 14Won26 countries · 4 lives left

    SloveniavsBelarus

    Proximity to equator: 46.0° N vs 53.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Belarus.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Slovenia against Belarus

    Category	Slovenia	Belarus	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	20,273	207,600	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,120,461	9,178,298	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	56,151	30,860	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	104.6	44.2	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,864	346	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	46.6	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	46.0° N	53.8° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Lost25 countries · 3 lives left

    MongoliavsArgentina

    Highest peak: 4,374 vs 6,962 m · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Mongolia.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Mongolia against Argentina

    Category	Mongolia	Argentina	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,564,116	2,780,400	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,481,145	45,538,401	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	18,020	30,246	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	2.2	16.4	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,374	6,962	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	4,989	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.0° N	31.4° S	Would lose