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

   Guinea-BissauvsArgentina

   Proximity to equator: 12.1° N vs 31.4° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Argentina.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Guinea-Bissau against Argentina

   Category	Guinea-Bissau	Argentina	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	36,125	2,780,400	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,153,339	45,538,401	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,956	30,246	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.6	16.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	277	6,962	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	350	4,989	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	12.1° N	31.4° S	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   EthiopiavsAzerbaijan

   Highest peak: 4,550 vs 4,466 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Azerbaijan.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ethiopia against Azerbaijan

   Category	Ethiopia	Azerbaijan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,104,300	86,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	128,691,692	10,153,958	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,063	23,671	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	116.5	117.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,550	4,466	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.5° N	40.5° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   NigeriavsPapua New Guinea

   Population: 227,882,945 vs 10,389,635 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Papua New Guinea.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Nigeria against Papua New Guinea

   Category	Nigeria	Papua New Guinea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	923,768	462,840	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	227,882,945	10,389,635	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,712	4,672	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	246.7	22.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,419	4,509	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	853	5,152	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	9.4° N	5.5° S	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   BotswanavsRussia

   Proximity to equator: 22.1° S vs 63.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Russia.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Botswana against Russia

   Category	Botswana	Russia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	581,730	17,098,242	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,480,244	143,826,130	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,029	44,299	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.3	8.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,495	5,642	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	37,653	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	22.1° S	63.6° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   NicaraguavsSri Lanka

   Proximity to equator: 12.6° N vs 7.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Returned to the world: Nicaragua.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Nicaragua against Sri Lanka

   Category	Nicaragua	Sri Lanka	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	130,370	65,610	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,823,613	22,037,000	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,327	14,512	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	52.3	335.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,085	2,524	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	910	1,340	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	5	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	12.6° N	7.1° N	Would lose