A little knowledge. An empire of 16.

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

   KuwaitvsIran

   Wealth per person: 53,083 vs 18,933 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Iran.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Kuwait against Iran

   Category	Kuwait	Iran	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,818	1,648,195	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	4,853,420	90,608,707	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	53,083	18,933	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	272.4	55.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	300	5,625	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	499	2,440	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.4° N	32.1° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   PhilippinesvsAustria

   Population: 114,891,199 vs 9,131,761 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Austria.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Philippines against Austria

   Category	Philippines	Austria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	300,000	83,871	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	114,891,199	9,131,761	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	10,995	74,261	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	383.0	108.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,954	3,798	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	36,289	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.0° N	47.7° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   BahamasvsKenya

   Coastline: 3,542 vs 536 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kenya.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Bahamas against Kenya

   Category	Bahamas	Kenya	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,880	580,367	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	399,440	55,339,003	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	39,122	6,322	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	28.8	95.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	64	5,199	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,542	536	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.7° N	0.4° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   MalawivsDenmark

   Area: 118,484 vs 43,094 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Denmark.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Malawi against Denmark

   Category	Malawi	Denmark	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	118,484	43,094	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	21,104,482	5,946,952	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,832	77,425	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	178.1	138.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,002	171	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	7,314	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	13.4° S	55.9° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   BruneivsNepal

   Wealth per person: 85,103 vs 5,400 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Nepal.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Brunei against Nepal

   Category	Brunei	Nepal	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,765	147,181	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	458,949	29,694,614	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	85,103	5,400	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	79.6	201.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,850	8,849	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	161	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	4.5° N	29.0° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   MauritiusvsIceland

   Area: 2,040 vs 103,000 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Mauritius.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mauritius against Iceland

   Category	Mauritius	Iceland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,040	103,000	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,248,647	385,663	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	29,403	82,257	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	612.1	3.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	828	2,110	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	177	4,970	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	20.3° S	64.7° N	Would win