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

   OmanvsNorth Korea

   Proximity to equator: 22.1° N vs 39.9° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered North Korea.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Oman against North Korea

   Category	Oman	North Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	309,500	120,538	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,049,269	26,418,204	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	41,980	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.3	219.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,004	2,744	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,092	2,495	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	22.1° N	39.9° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   El SalvadorvsSlovakia

   Proximity to equator: 13.9° N vs 48.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Slovakia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for El Salvador against Slovakia

   Category	El Salvador	Slovakia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	21,041	49,035	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,309,624	5,426,740	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,667	45,865	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	299.9	110.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,730	2,655	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	307	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.9° N	48.7° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   AndorravsIreland

   Highest peak: 2,946 vs 1,041 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Andorra against Ireland

   Category	Andorra	Ireland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	468	70,273	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	80,856	5,311,538	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	71,790	133,440	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	172.8	75.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,946	1,041	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,448	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	7	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.5° N	53.1° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   UgandavsKenya

   Density: 201.9 vs 95.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kenya.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Uganda against Kenya

   Category	Uganda	Kenya	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	241,038	580,367	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	48,656,601	55,339,003	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,100	6,322	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	201.9	95.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	5,199	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	536	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	2.0° N	0.4° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   HondurasvsColombia

   Wealth per person: 7,184 vs 21,282 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Honduras.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Honduras against Colombia

   Category	Honduras	Colombia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	112,090	1,138,910	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,644,851	52,321,152	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,184	21,282	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.0	45.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,870	5,730	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	823	3,208	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	14.7° N	3.4° N	Would lose