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

   Solomon IslandsvsNetherlands

   Proximity to equator: 9.6° S vs 52.2° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Netherlands.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Solomon Islands against Netherlands

   Category	Solomon Islands	Netherlands	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	28,896	41,543	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	800,005	17,877,117	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,599	80,392	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	27.7	430.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,335	322	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,313	451	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	9.6° S	52.2° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   AustraliavsNicaragua

   Area: 7,741,220 vs 130,370 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Nicaragua.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Australia against Nicaragua

   Category	Australia	Nicaragua	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,741,220	130,370	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	26,659,922	6,823,613	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	72,273	8,327	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.4	52.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,228	2,085	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	25,760	910	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	10	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.1° S	12.6° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   United KingdomvsBurkina Faso

   Population: 68,526,000 vs 23,025,776 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Burkina Faso.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United Kingdom against Burkina Faso

   Category	United Kingdom	Burkina Faso	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	243,610	274,200	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	68,526,000	23,025,776	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	60,787	2,762	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	281.3	84.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,345	749	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	12,429	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	52.5° N	12.8° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   BelizevsTrinidad and Tobago

   Flag colours: 12 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Trinidad and Tobago.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Belize against Trinidad and Tobago

   Category	Belize	Trinidad and Tobago	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	22,966	5,128	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	411,106	1,367,510	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,741	34,652	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.9	266.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,124	940	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	386	362	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	12	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.0° N	10.3° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   Guinea-BissauvsPapua New Guinea

   Wealth per person: 2,956 vs 4,672 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Guinea-Bissau.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Guinea-Bissau against Papua New Guinea

   Category	Guinea-Bissau	Papua New Guinea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	36,125	462,840	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,153,339	10,389,635	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,956	4,672	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.6	22.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	277	4,509	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	350	5,152	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.1° N	5.5° S	Would lose