A little knowledge. An empire of 26.

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

   Guinea-BissauvsBangladesh

   Flag colours: 4 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bangladesh.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Guinea-Bissau against Bangladesh

   Category	Guinea-Bissau	Bangladesh	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	36,125	148,460	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,153,339	171,466,990	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,956	9,155	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.6	1,155.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	277	1,060	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	350	580	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.1° N	24.3° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   GhanavsKyrgyzstan

   Flag colours: 4 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kyrgyzstan.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ghana against Kyrgyzstan

   Category	Ghana	Kyrgyzstan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,533	199,951	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,787,914	7,099,750	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,563	7,304	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	141.6	35.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	885	7,439	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	539	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	41.7° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   South KoreavsCzechia

   Flag colours: 4 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Czechia.

   Other category comparisons 7 other winning choices

   All eight categories for South Korea against Czechia

   Category	South Korea	Czechia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	99,720	78,867	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	51,712,619	10,864,042	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	57,430	56,062	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	518.6	137.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,950	1,602	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,413	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	36.3° N	49.8° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   KenyavsDominican Republic

   Area: 580,367 vs 48,670 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Dominican Republic.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Kenya against Dominican Republic

   Category	Kenya	Dominican Republic	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	580,367	48,670	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	55,339,003	11,331,265	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,322	25,861	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.4	232.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,199	3,098	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	536	1,288	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.4° N	19.1° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   TogovsItaly

   Proximity to equator: 8.9° N vs 45.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Italy.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Togo against Italy

   Category	Togo	Italy	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,785	301,340	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,223,850	58,984,216	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,572	60,350	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	144.8	195.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	986	4,748	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	56	7,600	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	8.9° N	45.1° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   LithuaniavsAzerbaijan

   Coastline: 90 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Azerbaijan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Lithuania against Azerbaijan

   Category	Lithuania	Azerbaijan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	65,300	86,600	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,871,585	10,153,958	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	52,720	23,671	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	44.0	117.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	294	4,466	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	90	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	55.1° N	40.5° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   New ZealandvsGuinea

   Wealth per person: 54,950 vs 4,337 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guinea.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for New Zealand against Guinea

   Category	New Zealand	Guinea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	245,857	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	14,405,468	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	54,950	4,337	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	58.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	1,752	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	15,134	320	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.3° S	10.7° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   BurundivsUruguay

   Proximity to equator: 3.4° S vs 32.9° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Uruguay.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Burundi against Uruguay

   Category	Burundi	Uruguay	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	27,830	176,215	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	13,689,450	3,388,081	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,147	34,546	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	491.9	19.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,685	514	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	660	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	3.4° S	32.9° S	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   ThailandvsVanuatu

   Area: 513,120 vs 12,189 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vanuatu.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Thailand against Vanuatu

   Category	Thailand	Vanuatu	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	513,120	12,189	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	71,702,435	320,409	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	23,598	4,202	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	139.7	26.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,565	1,877	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,219	2,528	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.5° N	15.4° S	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    Costa RicavsVenezuela

    Density: 99.9 vs 31.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Venezuela.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Costa Rica against Venezuela

    Category	Costa Rica	Venezuela	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	51,100	912,050	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,105,525	28,300,854	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.	29,248	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	99.9	31.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,819	4,978	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,290	2,800	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.1° N	7.2° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    Papua New GuineavsMalta

    Area: 462,840 vs 316 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Malta.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Papua New Guinea against Malta

    Category	Papua New Guinea	Malta	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	462,840	316	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,389,635	552,747	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,672	67,101	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	22.4	1,749.2	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,509	253	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,152	196.8	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	5.5° S	35.9° N	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    AfghanistanvsChina

    Flag colours: 5 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered China.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Afghanistan against China

    Category	Afghanistan	China	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	652,230	9,596,960	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	41,454,761	1,410,710,000	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,204	25,200	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	63.6	147.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	7,492	8,849	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	14,500	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.3° N	32.5° N	Would lose

13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    Guinea-BissauvsAngola

    Proximity to equator: 12.1° N vs 13.2° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Angola.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Guinea-Bissau against Angola

    Category	Guinea-Bissau	Angola	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	36,125	1,246,700	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,153,339	36,749,906	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,956	9,550	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.6	29.5	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	277	2,620	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	350	1,600	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	12.1° N	13.2° S	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won26 countries · 4 lives left

    BangladeshvsSenegal

    Population: 171,466,990 vs 18,077,573 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Senegal.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Bangladesh against Senegal

    Category	Bangladesh	Senegal	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	148,460	196,722	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	171,466,990	18,077,573	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,155	4,782	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,155.0	91.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,060	648	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	580	531	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.3° N	15.2° N	Would lose

15. 15
    Round 15Won27 countries · 4 lives left

    GhanavsRepublic of the Congo

    Density: 141.6 vs 18.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Republic of the Congo.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Ghana against Republic of the Congo

    Category	Ghana	Republic of the Congo	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,533	342,000	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,787,914	6,182,885	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,563	6,856	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	141.6	18.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	885	1,020	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	539	169	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	0.1° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Lost26 countries · 3 lives left

    KyrgyzstanvsBelarus

    Population: 7,099,750 vs 9,178,298 people · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Kyrgyzstan.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Kyrgyzstan against Belarus

    Category	Kyrgyzstan	Belarus	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	199,951	207,600	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,099,750	9,178,298	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,304	30,860	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	35.5	44.2	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	7,439	346	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.7° N	53.8° N	Would win