A little knowledge. An empire of 23.

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

   SingaporevsHonduras

   Wealth per person: 144,728 vs 7,184 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Honduras.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Singapore against Honduras

   Category	Singapore	Honduras	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	719	112,090	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,917,648	10,644,851	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	144,728	7,184	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	8,230.4	95.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	166	2,870	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	823	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.4° N	14.7° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   IcelandvsEl Salvador

   Wealth per person: 82,257 vs 12,667 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered El Salvador.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Iceland against El Salvador

   Category	Iceland	El Salvador	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	103,000	21,041	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	385,663	6,309,624	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	82,257	12,667	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.7	299.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,110	2,730	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,970	307	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	64.7° N	13.9° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   OmanvsSouth Sudan

   Coastline: 2,092 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered South Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Oman against South Sudan

   Category	Oman	South Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	309,500	644,329	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,049,269	11,483,374	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	41,980	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.3	17.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,004	3,187	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,092	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° N	7.1° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   RomaniavsGermany

   Proximity to equator: 45.7° N vs 51.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Germany.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Romania against Germany

   Category	Romania	Germany	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,391	357,022	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	19,061,062	83,287,273	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	45,982	72,262	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	80.0	233.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,544	2,963	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	2,389	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	45.7° N	51.0° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   KyrgyzstanvsCuba

   Area: 199,951 vs 110,860 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Cuba.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Kyrgyzstan against Cuba

   Category	Kyrgyzstan	Cuba	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	199,951	110,860	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,099,750	11,019,931	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	7,304	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	35.5	99.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	7,439	1,974	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	3,735	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.7° N	20.6° N	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   GambiavsLuxembourg

   Area: 11,300 vs 2,586 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Luxembourg.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gambia against Luxembourg

   Category	Gambia	Luxembourg	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	11,300	2,586	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,697,845	666,430	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,292	152,596	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	238.7	257.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	63	559	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	80	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	13.6° N	49.7° N	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   SomaliavsSenegal

   Coastline: 3,025 vs 531 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Senegal.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Somalia against Senegal

   Category	Somalia	Senegal	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	637,657	196,722	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,358,615	18,077,573	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,557	4,782	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	28.8	91.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,460	648	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,025	531	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	2.6° N	15.2° N	Would win

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   ChinavsSerbia

   Area: 9,596,960 vs 77,474 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Serbia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against Serbia

   Category	China	Serbia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,596,960	77,474	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,410,710,000	6,623,183	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	29,777	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	85.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	2,169	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	44.2° N	Would win

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   GabonvsTrinidad and Tobago

   Area: 267,667 vs 5,128 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Trinidad and Tobago.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gabon against Trinidad and Tobago

   Category	Gabon	Trinidad and Tobago	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	267,667	5,128	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,484,789	1,367,510	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	34,652	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	9.3	266.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	940	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	362	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	0.6° S	10.3° N	Would win

10. 10
    Round 10Lost20 countries · 3 lives left

    VenezuelavsMali

    Area: 912,050 vs 1,240,192 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Venezuela.

    Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Venezuela against Mali

    Category	Venezuela	Mali	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	912,050	1,240,192	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	28,300,854	23,769,127	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.	Unavailable	3,178	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	31.0	19.2	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,978	1,155	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,800	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.2° N	18.6° N	Would win

11. 11
    Round 11Won21 countries · 3 lives left

    MaldivesvsCanada

    Density: 1,765.1 vs 4.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Canada.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Maldives against Canada

    Category	Maldives	Canada	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	298	9,984,670	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	525,994	40,049,088	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	24,807	64,962	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,765.1	4.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5	5,959	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	644	202,080	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.3° N	58.8° N	Would win

12. 12
    Round 12Won22 countries · 3 lives left

    MoldovavsMauritania

    Wealth per person: 17,751 vs 6,972 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Mauritania.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Moldova against Mauritania

    Category	Moldova	Mauritania	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	33,851	1,030,700	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,457,783	5,022,441	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	17,751	6,972	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	72.6	4.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	430	915	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	754	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.5° N	19.4° N	Would lose

13. 13
    Round 13Won23 countries · 3 lives left

    SingaporevsVenezuela

    Density: 8,230.4 vs 31.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Venezuela.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Singapore against Venezuela

    Category	Singapore	Venezuela	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	719	912,050	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,917,648	28,300,854	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.	144,728	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	8,230.4	31.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	166	4,978	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	2,800	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.4° N	7.2° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Lost22 countries · 2 lives left

    HondurasvsIraq

    Wealth per person: 7,184 vs 14,665 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Honduras.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Honduras against Iraq

    Category	Honduras	Iraq	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	112,090	438,317	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,644,851	45,074,049	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,184	14,665	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.0	102.8	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,870	3,611	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	823	58	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	14.7° N	33.3° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Won23 countries · 2 lives left

    IcelandvsSouth Korea

    Wealth per person: 82,257 vs 57,430 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered South Korea.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Iceland against South Korea

    Category	Iceland	South Korea	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	103,000	99,720	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	385,663	51,712,619	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	82,257	57,430	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.7	518.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,110	1,950	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,970	2,413	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	64.7° N	36.3° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Lost22 countries · 1 life left

    El SalvadorvsColombia

    Proximity to equator: 13.9° N vs 3.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Returned to the world: El Salvador.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for El Salvador against Colombia

    Category	El Salvador	Colombia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	21,041	1,138,910	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,309,624	52,321,152	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,667	21,282	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	299.9	45.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,730	5,730	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	307	3,208	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.9° N	3.4° N	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won23 countries · 1 life left

    OmanvsGuinea-Bissau

    Wealth per person: 41,980 vs 2,956 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Guinea-Bissau.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Oman against Guinea-Bissau

    Category	Oman	Guinea-Bissau	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	309,500	36,125	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,049,269	2,153,339	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	41,980	2,956	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.3	59.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,004	277	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,092	350	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° N	12.1° N	Would lose

18. 18
    Round 18Won24 countries · 1 life left

    South SudanvsDenmark

    Area: 644,329 vs 43,094 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Denmark.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for South Sudan against Denmark

    Category	South Sudan	Denmark	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	644,329	43,094	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,483,374	5,946,952	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	Unavailable	77,425	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.8	138.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,187	171	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	7,314	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	55.9° N	Would win

19. 19
    Round 19Lost23 countries · 0 lives left

    RomaniavsMali

    Area: 238,391 vs 1,240,192 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Romania.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Romania against Mali

    Category	Romania	Mali	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	238,391	1,240,192	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	19,061,062	23,769,127	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	45,982	3,178	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	80.0	19.2	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,544	1,155	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.7° N	18.6° N	Would lose