A little knowledge. An empire of 31.

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

   New ZealandvsGambia

   Coastline: 15,134 vs 80 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Gambia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for New Zealand against Gambia

   Category	New Zealand	Gambia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	11,300	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	2,697,845	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	54,950	3,292	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	238.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	63	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	15,134	80	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.3° S	13.6° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   CroatiavsFinland

   Proximity to equator: 45.8° N vs 63.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Finland.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Croatia against Finland

   Category	Croatia	Finland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,594	338,145	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,859,686	5,583,911	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	47,760	63,467	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	68.2	16.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,831	1,328	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,835	1,250	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	45.8° N	63.3° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   AlgeriavsSomalia

   Wealth per person: 16,838 vs 1,557 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Somalia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Algeria against Somalia

   Category	Algeria	Somalia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,381,740	637,657	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	46,164,219	18,358,615	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	16,838	1,557	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.4	28.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,908	2,460	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	998	3,025	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.4° N	2.6° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   Cabo VerdevsNorth Macedonia

   Coastline: 965 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered North Macedonia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Cabo Verde against North Macedonia

   Category	Cabo Verde	North Macedonia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	4,033	25,713	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	522,331	1,827,816	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	10,251	25,354	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	129.5	71.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,829	2,764	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	965	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.0° N	41.5° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   HungaryvsBelgium

   Highest peak: 1,014 vs 694 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Belgium.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Hungary against Belgium

   Category	Hungary	Belgium	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	93,028	30,528	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,592,186	11,779,946	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	46,376	72,630	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	103.1	385.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,014	694	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	66.5	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.3° N	50.8° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   JamaicavsIreland

   Proximity to equator: 18.1° N vs 53.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Jamaica against Ireland

   Category	Jamaica	Ireland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	10,991	70,273	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,839,786	5,311,538	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,661	133,440	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	258.4	75.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,256	1,041	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,022	1,448	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	18.1° N	53.1° N	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   Timor-LestevsTürkiye

   Flag colours: 4 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Türkiye.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Timor-Leste against Türkiye

   Category	Timor-Leste	Türkiye	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	14,874	783,562	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,384,286	85,325,965	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,811	43,196	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	93.1	108.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,963	5,137	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	706	7,200	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.9° S	39.1° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   LiberiavsKuwait

   Proximity to equator: 7.0° N vs 29.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Kuwait.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Liberia against Kuwait

   Category	Liberia	Kuwait	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	111,369	17,818	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,493,031	4,853,420	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,796	53,083	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	49.3	272.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,447	300	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	579	499	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.0° N	29.4° N	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   ChinavsCzechia

   Area: 9,596,960 vs 78,867 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Czechia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against Czechia

   Category	China	Czechia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,596,960	78,867	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,410,710,000	10,864,042	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	56,062	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	137.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	1,602	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	49.8° N	Would win

10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    ChilevsMalawi

    Coastline: 6,435 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Malawi.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Chile against Malawi

    Category	Chile	Malawi	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	756,102	118,484	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	19,658,835	21,104,482	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	33,174	1,832	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	26.0	178.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,893	3,002	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6,435	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.4° S	13.4° S	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    Sri LankavsGeorgia

    Coastline: 1,340 vs 310 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Georgia.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Sri Lanka against Georgia

    Category	Sri Lanka	Georgia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	65,610	69,700	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	22,037,000	3,715,483	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,512	25,093	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	335.9	53.3	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,524	5,193	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,340	310	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	42.4° N	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    DenmarkvsPhilippines

    Wealth per person: 77,425 vs 10,995 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Philippines.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Denmark against Philippines

    Category	Denmark	Philippines	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	43,094	300,000	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,946,952	114,891,199	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	77,425	10,995	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	138.0	383.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	171	2,954	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,314	36,289	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	55.9° N	17.0° N	Would lose

13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    New ZealandvsSlovakia

    Coastline: 15,134 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Slovakia.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for New Zealand against Slovakia

    Category	New Zealand	Slovakia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	49,035	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	5,426,740	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	54,950	45,865	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	110.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	2,655	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	15,134	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.3° S	48.7° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won26 countries · 4 lives left

    GambiavsBelize

    Population: 2,697,845 vs 411,106 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Belize.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Gambia against Belize

    Category	Gambia	Belize	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	11,300	22,966	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,697,845	411,106	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,292	13,741	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	238.7	17.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	63	1,124	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	80	386	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	12	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	13.6° N	17.0° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Won27 countries · 4 lives left

    CroatiavsChad

    Coastline: 5,835 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Chad.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Croatia against Chad

    Category	Croatia	Chad	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,594	1,284,000	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,859,686	19,319,064	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	47,760	2,703	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	68.2	15.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,831	3,445	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,835	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.8° N	17.3° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Won28 countries · 4 lives left

    FinlandvsSolomon Islands

    Population: 5,583,911 vs 800,005 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Solomon Islands.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Finland against Solomon Islands

    Category	Finland	Solomon Islands	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	338,145	28,896	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,583,911	800,005	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	63,467	2,599	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.5	27.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,328	2,335	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,250	5,313	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	63.3° N	9.6° S	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won29 countries · 4 lives left

    AlgeriavsRepublic of the Congo

    Wealth per person: 16,838 vs 6,856 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Republic of the Congo.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Algeria against Republic of the Congo

    Category	Algeria	Republic of the Congo	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,381,740	342,000	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	46,164,219	6,182,885	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	16,838	6,856	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.4	18.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,908	1,020	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	998	169	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.4° N	0.1° N	Would lose

18. 18
    Round 18Lost28 countries · 3 lives left

    SomaliavsMexico

    Density: 28.8 vs 66.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Somalia.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Somalia against Mexico

    Category	Somalia	Mexico	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	637,657	1,964,375	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,358,615	129,739,759	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,557	25,188	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	28.8	66.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,460	5,636	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,025	9,330	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	11	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	2.6° N	23.5° N	Would win

19. 19
    Round 19Won29 countries · 3 lives left

    Cabo VerdevsTunisia

    Proximity to equator: 15.0° N vs 35.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Tunisia.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Cabo Verde against Tunisia

    Category	Cabo Verde	Tunisia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	4,033	163,610	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	522,331	12,200,431	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	10,251	14,052	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	129.5	74.6	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,829	1,544	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	965	1,148	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.0° N	35.3° N	Would win

20. 20
    Round 20Won30 countries · 3 lives left

    North MacedoniavsBrazil

    Wealth per person: 25,354 vs 21,193 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Brazil.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for North Macedonia against Brazil

    Category	North Macedonia	Brazil	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	25,713	8,515,770	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,827,816	211,140,729	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	25,354	21,193	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	71.1	24.8	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,764	2,994	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	7,491	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.5° N	12.6° S	Would lose