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

   TurkmenistanvsAustria

   Proximity to equator: 39.9° N vs 47.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Austria.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Turkmenistan against Austria

   Category	Turkmenistan	Austria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	488,100	83,871	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,364,438	9,131,761	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	19,645	74,261	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	15.1	108.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,139	3,798	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	39.9° N	47.7° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   GuyanavsEstonia

   Proximity to equator: 2.7° N vs 58.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Estonia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Guyana against Estonia

   Category	Guyana	Estonia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	214,969	45,228	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	826,353	1,370,286	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	54,774	48,848	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.8	30.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,775	318	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	459	3,794	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	2.7° N	58.6° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   ChinavsNorth Macedonia

   Population: 1,410,710,000 vs 1,827,816 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered North Macedonia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against North Macedonia

   Category	China	North Macedonia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,596,960	25,713	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,410,710,000	1,827,816	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	25,354	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	71.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	2,764	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	41.5° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   DR CongovsVanuatu

   Density: 45.1 vs 26.3 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vanuatu.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for DR Congo against Vanuatu

   Category	DR Congo	Vanuatu	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,344,858	12,189	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	105,789,731	320,409	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,732	4,202	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	45.1	26.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	1,877	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37	2,528	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.9° S	15.4° S	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   ZambiavsMorocco

   Coastline: 0 vs 1,835 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Zambia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Zambia against Morocco

   Category	Zambia	Morocco	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	752,618	446,550	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	20,723,965	37,712,505	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,080	9,903	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	27.5	84.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,330	4,165	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	0	1,835	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	14.7° S	31.9° N	Would win