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

   ZimbabwevsSuriname

   Area: 390,757 vs 163,820 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Suriname.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Zimbabwe against Suriname

   Category	Zimbabwe	Suriname	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	390,757	163,820	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	16,340,822	628,886	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	5,796	21,128	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	41.8	3.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,592	1,230	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	386	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.0° S	4.1° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   SpainvsPoland

   Population: 48,352,528 vs 36,687,353 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Poland.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Spain against Poland

   Category	Spain	Poland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	505,370	312,685	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	48,352,528	36,687,353	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	55,661	48,473	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.7	117.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,718	2,499	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,964	440	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.0° N	51.9° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   TurkmenistanvsBurundi

   Area: 488,100 vs 27,830 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Burundi.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Turkmenistan against Burundi

   Category	Turkmenistan	Burundi	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	488,100	27,830	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,364,438	13,689,450	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	19,645	1,147	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	15.1	491.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,139	2,685	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.9° N	3.4° S	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   BulgariavsRussia

   Density: 58.1 vs 8.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Russia.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Bulgaria against Russia

   Category	Bulgaria	Russia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	110,879	17,098,242	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,446,596	143,826,130	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	38,829	44,299	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	58.1	8.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,925	5,642	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	354	37,653	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.5° N	63.6° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   CubavsCroatia

   Coastline: 3,735 vs 5,835 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Cuba.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Cuba against Croatia

   Category	Cuba	Croatia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	110,860	56,594	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,019,931	3,859,686	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	Unavailable	47,760	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	99.4	68.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,974	1,831	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,735	5,835	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	20.6° N	45.8° N	Would win