A little knowledge. An empire of 16.

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

   BangladeshvsLiberia

   Population: 171,466,990 vs 5,493,031 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Liberia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bangladesh against Liberia

   Category	Bangladesh	Liberia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	148,460	111,369	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	171,466,990	5,493,031	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,155	1,796	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,155.0	49.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,060	1,447	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	580	579	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.3° N	7.0° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   NigervsSierra Leone

   Area: 1,267,000 vs 71,740 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Sierra Leone.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Niger against Sierra Leone

   Category	Niger	Sierra Leone	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,267,000	71,740	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,159,867	8,460,512	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,903	3,371	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	20.6	117.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,022	1,948	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	402	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.6° N	8.7° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   ArmeniavsGhana

   Highest peak: 4,090 vs 885 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Ghana.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Armenia against Ghana

   Category	Armenia	Ghana	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	29,743	238,533	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,964,300	33,787,914	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,552	7,563	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	99.7	141.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,090	885	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	539	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.6° N	7.0° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   SyriavsNorway

   Population: 23,594,623 vs 5,519,601 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Norway.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Syria against Norway

   Category	Syria	Norway	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	187,437	323,802	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	23,594,623	5,519,601	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	Unavailable	107,768	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.9	17.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,814	2,469	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	25,148	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	35.0° N	61.5° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   LebanonvsMongolia

   Density: 555.1 vs 2.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mongolia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Lebanon against Mongolia

   Category	Lebanon	Mongolia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	10,400	1,564,116	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,773,493	3,481,145	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,585	18,020	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	555.1	2.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,088	4,374	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.2° N	46.0° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   CyprusvsUnited Arab Emirates

   Coastline: 648 vs 1,318 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Cyprus.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Cyprus against United Arab Emirates

   Category	Cyprus	United Arab Emirates	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,251	83,600	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,344,976	10,483,751	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	59,875	78,020	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	145.4	125.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,951	1,905	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	648	1,318	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.9° N	23.5° N	Would lose