A little knowledge. An empire of 15.

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

   AfghanistanvsEcuador

   Highest peak: 7,492 vs 6,267 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ecuador.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Afghanistan against Ecuador

   Category	Afghanistan	Ecuador	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	652,230	283,561	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	41,454,761	17,980,083	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,204	15,907	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	63.6	63.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,492	6,267	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,237	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	11	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.3° N	1.2° S	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   MalivsFiji

   Area: 1,240,192 vs 18,274 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Fiji.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Mali against Fiji

   Category	Mali	Fiji	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,240,192	18,274	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	23,769,127	924,145	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,178	14,656	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.2	50.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,155	1,324	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,129	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	8	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	18.6° N	17.8° S	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   AustraliavsYemen

   Area: 7,741,220 vs 527,968 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Yemen.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Australia against Yemen

   Category	Australia	Yemen	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,741,220	527,968	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,659,922	39,390,799	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	72,273	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.4	74.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,228	3,666	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	25,760	1,906	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.1° S	15.3° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   IndiavsMexico

   Population: 1,438,069,596 vs 129,739,759 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mexico.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for India against Mexico

   Category	India	Mexico	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	3,287,263	1,964,375	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,438,069,596	129,739,759	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,853	25,188	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	437.5	66.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,586	5,636	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,000	9,330	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	11	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.4° N	23.5° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   GuatemalavsCuba

   Area: 108,889 vs 110,860 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Guatemala.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Guatemala against Cuba

   Category	Guatemala	Cuba	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	108,889	110,860	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,124,838	11,019,931	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	13,752	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	166.5	99.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,220	1,974	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	400	3,735	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.0° N	20.6° N	Would win