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

   CambodiavsBahamas

   Area: 181,035 vs 13,880 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bahamas.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Cambodia against Bahamas

   Category	Cambodia	Bahamas	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	181,035	13,880	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,423,880	399,440	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,437	39,122	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	96.2	28.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,810	64	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	443	3,542	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° N	24.7° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   ColombiavsMauritania

   Wealth per person: 21,282 vs 6,972 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mauritania.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Colombia against Mauritania

   Category	Colombia	Mauritania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,138,910	1,030,700	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	52,321,152	5,022,441	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	21,282	6,972	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.9	4.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,730	915	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,208	754	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.4° N	19.4° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   PakistanvsCuba

   Population: 247,504,495 vs 11,019,931 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Cuba.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Pakistan against Cuba

   Category	Pakistan	Cuba	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	796,095	110,860	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	247,504,495	11,019,931	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	6,019	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	310.9	99.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,611	1,974	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,046	3,735	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.8° N	20.6° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   GuatemalavsVietnam

   Flag colours: 9 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vietnam.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Guatemala against Vietnam

   Category	Guatemala	Vietnam	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	108,889	331,210	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,124,838	100,352,192	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,752	15,034	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	166.5	303.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,220	3,144	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	400	3,444	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.0° N	21.7° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   NigeriavsMontenegro

   Area: 923,768 vs 13,812 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Montenegro.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Nigeria against Montenegro

   Category	Nigeria	Montenegro	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	923,768	13,812	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	227,882,945	623,529	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,712	31,863	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	246.7	45.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,419	2,534	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	853	293.5	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	9.4° N	42.8° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   AlgeriavsAustria

   Density: 19.4 vs 108.9 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Algeria.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Algeria against Austria

   Category	Algeria	Austria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,381,740	83,871	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	46,164,219	9,131,761	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	16,838	74,261	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	19.4	108.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,908	3,798	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	998	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.4° N	47.7° N	Would win