A little knowledge. An empire of 16.

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

   KuwaitvsSpain

   Density: 272.4 vs 95.7 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Spain.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Kuwait against Spain

   Category	Kuwait	Spain	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,818	505,370	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	4,853,420	48,352,528	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	53,083	55,661	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	272.4	95.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	300	3,718	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	499	4,964	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	10	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.4° N	40.0° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   Costa RicavsSouth Sudan

   Density: 99.9 vs 17.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered South Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Costa Rica against South Sudan

   Category	Costa Rica	South Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	51,100	644,329	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,105,525	11,483,374	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	29,248	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	99.9	17.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,819	3,187	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,290	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.1° N	7.1° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   BelarusvsSudan

   Wealth per person: 30,860 vs 2,423 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Belarus against Sudan

   Category	Belarus	Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	207,600	1,861,484	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,178,298	50,042,791	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	30,860	2,423	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	44.2	26.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	346	3,042	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	853	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.8° N	16.6° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   IranvsMalawi

   Wealth per person: 18,933 vs 1,832 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Malawi.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Iran against Malawi

   Category	Iran	Malawi	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,648,195	118,484	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	90,608,707	21,104,482	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	18,933	1,832	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	55.0	178.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,625	3,002	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,440	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	13.4° S	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   ChadvsMauritius

   Area: 1,284,000 vs 2,040 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mauritius.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Chad against Mauritius

   Category	Chad	Mauritius	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,284,000	2,040	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	19,319,064	1,248,647	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,703	29,403	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	15.0	612.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,445	828	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	177	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.3° N	20.3° S	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost16 countries · 3 lives left

   CubavsSri Lanka

   Flag colours: 3 vs 5 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Cuba.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Cuba against Sri Lanka

   Category	Cuba	Sri Lanka	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	110,860	65,610	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,019,931	22,037,000	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.	Unavailable	14,512	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	99.4	335.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,974	2,524	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,735	1,340	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	20.6° N	7.1° N	Would lose