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

   EthiopiavsGeorgia

   Population: 128,691,692 vs 3,715,483 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Georgia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ethiopia against Georgia

   Category	Ethiopia	Georgia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,104,300	69,700	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	128,691,692	3,715,483	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,063	25,093	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	116.5	53.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,550	5,193	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	310	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.5° N	42.4° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   EgyptvsFiji

   Area: 1,001,450 vs 18,274 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Fiji.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Egypt against Fiji

   Category	Egypt	Fiji	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,001,450	18,274	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	114,535,772	924,145	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	18,540	14,656	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	114.4	50.6	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,629	1,324	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,450	1,129	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	8	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	26.3° N	17.8° S	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   AlgeriavsLuxembourg

   Area: 2,381,740 vs 2,586 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Luxembourg.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Algeria against Luxembourg

   Category	Algeria	Luxembourg	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,381,740	2,586	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	46,164,219	666,430	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	16,838	152,596	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.4	257.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,908	559	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	998	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	27.4° N	49.7° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   North KoreavsPanama

   Population: 26,418,204 vs 4,458,759 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Panama.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for North Korea against Panama

   Category	North Korea	Panama	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	120,538	75,420	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	26,418,204	4,458,759	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	Unavailable	39,846	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	219.2	59.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,744	3,475	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,495	2,490	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.9° N	8.4° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   South AfricavsPakistan

   Proximity to equator: 30.2° S vs 27.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Returned to the world: South Africa.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for South Africa against Pakistan

   Category	South Africa	Pakistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,219,090	796,095	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	63,212,384	247,504,495	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	15,212	6,019	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	51.9	310.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,450	8,611	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,798	1,046	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	30.2° S	27.8° N	Would lose