A little knowledge. An empire of 20.

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

   MongoliavsRomania

   Highest peak: 4,374 vs 2,544 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Romania.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mongolia against Romania

   Category	Mongolia	Romania	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	1,564,116	238,391	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,481,145	19,061,062	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	18,020	45,982	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	2.2	80.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,374	2,544	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	225	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.0° N	45.7° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   QatarvsMoldova

   Proximity to equator: 25.1° N vs 47.5° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Moldova.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Qatar against Moldova

   Category	Qatar	Moldova	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	11,586	33,851	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,656,032	2,457,783	Would win
   Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	129,025	17,751	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	229.2	72.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	103	430	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	563	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	25.1° N	47.5° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   LiberiavsBurkina Faso

   Proximity to equator: 7.0° N vs 12.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Burkina Faso.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Liberia against Burkina Faso

   Category	Liberia	Burkina Faso	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	111,369	274,200	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,493,031	23,025,776	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,796	2,762	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	49.3	84.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,447	749	Would win
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	579	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.0° N	12.8° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Lost14 countries · 3 lives left

   Central African RepublicvsMozambique

   Area: 622,984 vs 799,380 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Central African Republic.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Central African Republic against Mozambique

   Category	Central African Republic	Mozambique	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	622,984	799,380	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,152,421	33,635,160	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,258	1,680	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	8.3	42.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,410	2,436	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,470	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	5	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	14.0° S	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won15 countries · 3 lives left

   DR CongovsJapan

   Flag colours: 3 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Japan.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for DR Congo against Japan

   Category	DR Congo	Japan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,344,858	377,915	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	105,789,731	124,516,650	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,732	52,726	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	329.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	3,776	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37	29,751	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.9° S	36.7° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost14 countries · 2 lives left

   IrelandvsNorth Korea

   Density: 75.6 vs 219.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ireland against North Korea

   Category	Ireland	North Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	70,273	120,538	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,311,538	26,418,204	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	133,440	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	75.6	219.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,041	2,744	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,448	2,495	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.1° N	39.9° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won15 countries · 2 lives left

   ZambiavsEritrea

   Proximity to equator: 14.7° S vs 16.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Eritrea.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Zambia against Eritrea

   Category	Zambia	Eritrea	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	752,618	117,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	20,723,965	3,470,390	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	4,080	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	27.5	29.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,330	3,018	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,234	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	14.7° S	16.0° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won16 countries · 2 lives left

   OmanvsDenmark

   Highest peak: 3,004 vs 171 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Denmark.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Oman against Denmark

   Category	Oman	Denmark	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	309,500	43,094	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,049,269	5,946,952	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	41,980	77,425	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.3	138.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,004	171	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,092	7,314	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° N	55.9° N	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Tied16 countries · 2 lives left

   NigeriavsSaudi Arabia

   Flag colours: 2 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Saudi Arabia became contested.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Nigeria against Saudi Arabia

   Category	Nigeria	Saudi Arabia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	923,768	2,149,690	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	227,882,945	33,702,731	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,712	71,624	Would lose
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	246.7	15.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,419	3,000	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	853	2,640	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	9.4° N	23.5° N	Would win

10. 10
    Round 10Won18 countries · 2 lives left

    MaltavsHaiti

    Density: 1,749.2 vs 419.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Haiti, Saudi Arabia.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Malta against Haiti

    Category	Malta	Haiti	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	316	27,750	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	552,747	11,637,398	Would lose
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	67,101	3,265	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,749.2	419.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	253	2,674	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	196.8	1,771	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	7	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	35.9° N	19.2° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won19 countries · 2 lives left

    United Arab EmiratesvsMaldives

    Wealth per person: 78,020 vs 24,807 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Maldives.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for United Arab Emirates against Maldives

    Category	United Arab Emirates	Maldives	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	83,600	298	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,483,751	525,994	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	78,020	24,807	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.4	1,765.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,905	5	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,318	644	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.5° N	3.3° N	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Lost18 countries · 1 life left

    MalivsVenezuela

    Population: 23,769,127 vs 28,300,854 people · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Mali.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Mali against Venezuela

    Category	Mali	Venezuela	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,240,192	912,050	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	23,769,127	28,300,854	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.	3,178	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.2	31.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,155	4,978	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,800	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	18.6° N	7.2° N	Would lose

13. 13
    Round 13Won19 countries · 1 life left

    MongoliavsJamaica

    Highest peak: 4,374 vs 2,256 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Jamaica.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Mongolia against Jamaica

    Category	Mongolia	Jamaica	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	1,564,116	10,991	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,481,145	2,839,786	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	18,020	12,661	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	2.2	258.4	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,374	2,256	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,022	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.0° N	18.1° N	Would lose

14. 14
    Round 14Won20 countries · 1 life left

    RomaniavsTajikistan

    Density: 80.0 vs 72.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Tajikistan.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Romania against Tajikistan

    Category	Romania	Tajikistan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,391	144,100	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	19,061,062	10,389,799	Would win
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	45,982	4,968	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	80.0	72.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,544	7,495	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.7° N	38.3° N	Would lose

15. 15
    Round 15Won21 countries · 1 life left

    QatarvsCuba

    Density: 229.2 vs 99.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Cuba.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Qatar against Cuba

    Category	Qatar	Cuba	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	11,586	110,860	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,656,032	11,019,931	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	129,025	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	229.2	99.4	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	103	1,974	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	563	3,735	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	25.1° N	20.6° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Lost20 countries · 0 lives left

    MoldovavsYemen

    Density: 72.6 vs 74.6 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Moldova.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Moldova against Yemen

    Category	Moldova	Yemen	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	33,851	527,968	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,457,783	39,390,799	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	17,751	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	72.6	74.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	430	3,666	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,906	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.5° N	15.3° N	Would lose