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

   PolandvsBelize

   Area: 312,685 vs 22,966 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Belize.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Poland against Belize

   Category	Poland	Belize	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	312,685	22,966	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	36,687,353	411,106	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	48,473	13,741	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	117.3	17.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,499	1,124	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	440	386	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	12	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	51.9° N	17.0° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   ItalyvsHonduras

   Wealth per person: 60,350 vs 7,184 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Honduras.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Italy against Honduras

   Category	Italy	Honduras	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	301,340	112,090	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	58,984,216	10,644,851	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	60,350	7,184	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	195.7	95.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,748	2,870	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,600	823	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.1° N	14.7° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   UgandavsCameroon

   Proximity to equator: 2.0° N vs 4.5° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Cameroon.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Uganda against Cameroon

   Category	Uganda	Cameroon	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	241,038	475,440	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	48,656,601	28,372,687	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,100	5,415	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	201.9	59.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	4,045	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	402	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	2.0° N	4.5° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   LuxembourgvsKazakhstan

   Wealth per person: 152,596 vs 38,547 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kazakhstan.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Luxembourg against Kazakhstan

   Category	Luxembourg	Kazakhstan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,586	2,724,900	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	666,430	20,330,104	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	152,596	38,547	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	257.7	7.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	559	7,010	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	49.7° N	48.5° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   MauritaniavsIndia

   Flag colours: 3 vs 4 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Mauritania.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Mauritania against India

   Category	Mauritania	India	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,030,700	3,287,263	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,022,441	1,438,069,596	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,972	9,853	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.9	437.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	915	8,586	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	754	7,000	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.4° N	22.4° N	Would win