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

   South SudanvsBurkina Faso

   Area: 644,329 vs 274,200 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Burkina Faso.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for South Sudan against Burkina Faso

   Category	South Sudan	Burkina Faso	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	644,329	274,200	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,483,374	23,025,776	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	Unavailable	2,762	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.8	84.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,187	749	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	12.8° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   BotswanavsSpain

   Proximity to equator: 22.1° S vs 40.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Spain.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Botswana against Spain

   Category	Botswana	Spain	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	581,730	505,370	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,480,244	48,352,528	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,029	55,661	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.3	95.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,495	3,718	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	4,964	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	10	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	22.1° S	40.0° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   MaldivesvsFrance

   Proximity to equator: 3.3° N vs 46.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered France.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Maldives against France

   Category	Maldives	France	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	298	551,500	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	525,994	65,925,961	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	24,807	60,927	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,765.1	119.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5	4,810	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	644	3,427	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	3.3° N	46.7° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   UkrainevsKyrgyzstan

   Population: 37,732,836 vs 7,099,750 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kyrgyzstan.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ukraine against Kyrgyzstan

   Category	Ukraine	Kyrgyzstan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	603,550	199,951	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	37,732,836	7,099,750	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,680	7,304	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	62.5	35.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,061	7,439	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,782	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	49.6° N	41.7° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   DR CongovsEgypt

   Population: 105,789,731 vs 114,535,772 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: DR Congo.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for DR Congo against Egypt

   Category	DR Congo	Egypt	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,344,858	1,001,450	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	105,789,731	114,535,772	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,732	18,540	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	114.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	2,629	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37	2,450	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.9° S	26.3° N	Would win