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

   IrelandvsLaos

   Wealth per person: 133,440 vs 9,299 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Laos.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ireland against Laos

   Category	Ireland	Laos	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	70,273	236,800	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,311,538	7,664,993	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	133,440	9,299	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	75.6	32.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,041	2,817	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,448	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.1° N	19.6° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   GambiavsEswatini

   Coastline: 80 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Eswatini.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gambia against Eswatini

   Category	Gambia	Eswatini	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	11,300	17,364	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,697,845	1,230,506	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,292	11,309	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	238.7	70.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	63	1,862	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	80	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	13.6° N	26.6° S	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   PortugalvsBelgium

   Coastline: 1,793 vs 66.5 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Belgium.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Portugal against Belgium

   Category	Portugal	Belgium	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	92,090	30,528	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,578,174	11,779,946	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	49,800	72,630	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	114.9	385.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,351	694	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,793	66.5	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.7° N	50.8° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   CroatiavsMalta

   Area: 56,594 vs 316 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Malta.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Croatia against Malta

   Category	Croatia	Malta	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	56,594	316	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,859,686	552,747	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	47,760	67,101	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	68.2	1,749.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,831	253	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,835	196.8	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.8° N	35.9° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   UzbekistanvsMexico

   Flag colours: 4 vs 11 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Uzbekistan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Uzbekistan against Mexico

   Category	Uzbekistan	Mexico	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	447,400	1,964,375	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	35,652,307	129,739,759	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,679	25,188	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	79.7	66.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,643	5,636	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	9,330	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	11	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.5° N	23.5° N	Would lose