A little knowledge. An empire of 39.

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

   CanadavsJordan

   Area: 9,984,670 vs 89,342 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Jordan.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Canada against Jordan

   Category	Canada	Jordan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,984,670	89,342	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	40,049,088	11,439,213	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	64,962	11,451	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.0	128.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,959	1,854	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	202,080	26	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	58.8° N	30.7° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   PalestinevsCroatia

   Density: 830.5 vs 68.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Croatia.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Palestine against Croatia

   Category	Palestine	Croatia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	6,220	56,594	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,165,775	3,859,686	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,179	47,760	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	830.5	68.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,020	1,831	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	40	5,835	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	45.8° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   BelarusvsLatvia

   Area: 207,600 vs 64,589 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Latvia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Belarus against Latvia

   Category	Belarus	Latvia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	207,600	64,589	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,178,298	1,883,710	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	30,860	42,784	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	44.2	29.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	346	312	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	498	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.8° N	56.6° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   GuineavsAzerbaijan

   Coastline: 320 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Azerbaijan.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Guinea against Azerbaijan

   Category	Guinea	Azerbaijan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	245,857	86,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	14,405,468	10,153,958	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,337	23,671	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	58.6	117.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,752	4,466	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	320	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.7° N	40.5° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   GhanavsTurkmenistan

   Coastline: 539 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Turkmenistan.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ghana against Turkmenistan

   Category	Ghana	Turkmenistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,533	488,100	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,787,914	7,364,438	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,563	19,645	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	141.6	15.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	885	3,139	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	539	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	39.9° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   SlovakiavsMozambique

   Wealth per person: 45,865 vs 1,680 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mozambique.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Slovakia against Mozambique

   Category	Slovakia	Mozambique	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	49,035	799,380	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,426,740	33,635,160	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	45,865	1,680	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	110.7	42.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,655	2,436	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,470	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	48.7° N	14.0° S	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   PeruvsCzechia

   Coastline: 2,414 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Czechia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Peru against Czechia

   Category	Peru	Czechia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,285,216	78,867	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,845,617	10,864,042	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,042	56,062	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	26.3	137.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,746	1,602	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,414	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	13.0° S	49.8° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   ThailandvsSouth Korea

   Proximity to equator: 15.5° N vs 36.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered South Korea.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Thailand against South Korea

   Category	Thailand	South Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	513,120	99,720	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	71,702,435	51,712,619	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	23,598	57,430	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	139.7	518.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,565	1,950	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,219	2,413	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.5° N	36.3° N	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   RwandavsTunisia

   Flag colours: 3 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Tunisia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Rwanda against Tunisia

   Category	Rwanda	Tunisia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	26,338	163,610	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	13,954,471	12,200,431	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,519	14,052	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	529.8	74.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,519	1,544	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,148	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.8° S	35.3° N	Would win

10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    BotswanavsBenin

    Area: 581,730 vs 112,622 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Benin.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Botswana against Benin

    Category	Botswana	Benin	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	581,730	112,622	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,480,244	14,111,034	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,029	4,133	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.3	125.3	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,495	675	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	121	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° S	10.4° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    CubavsZimbabwe

    Density: 99.4 vs 41.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Zimbabwe.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Cuba against Zimbabwe

    Category	Cuba	Zimbabwe	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	110,860	390,757	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,019,931	16,340,822	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	Unavailable	5,796	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	99.4	41.8	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,974	2,592	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,735	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	6	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	20.6° N	19.0° S	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    North MacedoniavsSwitzerland

    Proximity to equator: 41.5° N vs 46.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Switzerland.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for North Macedonia against Switzerland

    Category	North Macedonia	Switzerland	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	25,713	41,277	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,827,816	8,888,822	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,354	93,940	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	71.1	215.3	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,764	4,634	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	41.5° N	46.7° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    CanadavsMyanmar

    Area: 9,984,670 vs 676,578 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Myanmar.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Canada against Myanmar

    Category	Canada	Myanmar	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,984,670	676,578	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	40,049,088	54,133,798	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	64,962	5,958	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.0	80.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,959	5,870	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	202,080	1,930	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	58.8° N	21.6° N	Would lose

14. 14
    Round 14Won26 countries · 4 lives left

    JordanvsIsrael

    Flag colours: 4 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Israel.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Jordan against Israel

    Category	Jordan	Israel	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	89,342	21,937	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,439,213	9,849,000	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,451	55,301	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	128.0	449.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,854	2,224	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	26	273	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	30.7° N	30.9° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Won27 countries · 4 lives left

    PalestinevsEritrea

    Density: 830.5 vs 29.5 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Eritrea.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Palestine against Eritrea

    Category	Palestine	Eritrea	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	6,220	117,600	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,165,775	3,470,390	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	6,179	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	830.5	29.5	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,020	3,018	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	40	2,234	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	16.0° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Won28 countries · 4 lives left

    CroatiavsSuriname

    Wealth per person: 47,760 vs 21,128 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Suriname.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Croatia against Suriname

    Category	Croatia	Suriname	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,594	163,820	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,859,686	628,886	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	47,760	21,128	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	68.2	3.8	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,831	1,230	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,835	386	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	4	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.8° N	4.1° N	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Lost27 countries · 3 lives left

    BelarusvsPanama

    Wealth per person: 30,860 vs 39,846 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Belarus.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Belarus against Panama

    Category	Belarus	Panama	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	207,600	75,420	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,178,298	4,458,759	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	30,860	39,846	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	44.2	59.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	346	3,475	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,490	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.8° N	8.4° N	Would lose

18. 18
    Round 18Won28 countries · 3 lives left

    LatviavsGuatemala

    Wealth per person: 42,784 vs 13,752 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Guatemala.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Latvia against Guatemala

    Category	Latvia	Guatemala	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	64,589	108,889	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,883,710	18,124,838	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	42,784	13,752	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.2	166.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	312	4,220	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	498	400	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	9	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	56.6° N	15.0° N	Would lose

19. 19
    Round 19Tied28 countries · 3 lives left

    GuineavsAngola

    Flag colours: 3 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

    Angola became contested.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Guinea against Angola

    Category	Guinea	Angola	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	245,857	1,246,700	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	14,405,468	36,749,906	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,337	9,550	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	58.6	29.5	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,752	2,620	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	320	1,600	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.7° N	13.2° S	Would win

20. 20
    Round 20Won30 countries · 3 lives left

    AzerbaijanvsPapua New Guinea

    Wealth per person: 23,671 vs 4,672 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Papua New Guinea, Angola.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Azerbaijan against Papua New Guinea

    Category	Azerbaijan	Papua New Guinea	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	86,600	462,840	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,153,958	10,389,635	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	23,671	4,672	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	117.3	22.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,466	4,509	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	5,152	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.5° N	5.5° S	Would lose