A little knowledge. An empire of 14.

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

   CubavsSyria

   Proximity to equator: 20.6° N vs 35.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Syria.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Cuba against Syria

   Category	Cuba	Syria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	110,860	187,437	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,019,931	23,594,623	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.. Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	99.4	125.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,974	2,814	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,735	193	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	20.6° N	35.0° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   IcelandvsNiger

   Highest peak: 2,110 vs 2,022 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Niger.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Iceland against Niger

   Category	Iceland	Niger	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	103,000	1,267,000	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	385,663	26,159,867	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	82,257	1,903	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.7	20.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,110	2,022	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,970	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	64.7° N	17.6° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   ArgentinavsIreland

   Coastline: 4,989 vs 1,448 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Argentina against Ireland

   Category	Argentina	Ireland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,780,400	70,273	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	45,538,401	5,311,538	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	30,246	133,440	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.4	75.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,962	1,041	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,989	1,448	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	31.4° S	53.1° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Lost14 countries · 3 lives left

   SlovakiavsBenin

   Population: 5,426,740 vs 14,111,034 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Slovakia.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Slovakia against Benin

   Category	Slovakia	Benin	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	49,035	112,622	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,426,740	14,111,034	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	45,865	4,133	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	110.7	125.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,655	675	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	121	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	48.7° N	10.4° N	Would lose