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

   PolandvsIraq

   Density: 117.3 vs 102.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Iraq.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Poland against Iraq

   Category	Poland	Iraq	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	312,685	438,317	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	36,687,353	45,074,049	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	48,473	14,665	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	117.3	102.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,499	3,611	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	440	58	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	51.9° N	33.3° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   Papua New GuineavsIreland

   Highest peak: 4,509 vs 1,041 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Papua New Guinea against Ireland

   Category	Papua New Guinea	Ireland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	462,840	70,273	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,389,635	5,311,538	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,672	133,440	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	22.4	75.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,509	1,041	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,152	1,448	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	5.5° S	53.1° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   TürkiyevsMontenegro

   Density: 108.9 vs 45.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Montenegro.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Türkiye against Montenegro

   Category	Türkiye	Montenegro	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	783,562	13,812	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	85,325,965	623,529	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	43,196	31,863	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	108.9	45.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,137	2,534	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,200	293.5	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.1° N	42.8° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   GreecevsChad

   Coastline: 13,676 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Chad.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Greece against Chad

   Category	Greece	Chad	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	131,957	1,284,000	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,407,351	19,319,064	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	42,614	2,703	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	78.9	15.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,917	3,445	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	13,676	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.8° N	17.3° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   GuineavsGhana

   Coastline: 320 vs 539 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Guinea.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Guinea against Ghana

   Category	Guinea	Ghana	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	245,857	238,533	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	14,405,468	33,787,914	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,337	7,563	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	58.6	141.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,752	885	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	320	539	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.7° N	7.0° N	Would lose