A little knowledge. An empire of 14.

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 1Lost11 countries · 3 lives left

   BurundivsLesotho

   Highest peak: 2,685 vs 3,482 m · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Burundi.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Burundi against Lesotho

   Category	Burundi	Lesotho	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	27,830	30,355	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	13,689,450	2,311,472	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,147	2,880	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	491.9	76.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2,685	3,482	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.4° S	29.4° S	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won12 countries · 3 lives left

   MozambiquevsUruguay

   Area: 799,380 vs 176,215 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Uruguay.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mozambique against Uruguay

   Category	Mozambique	Uruguay	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	799,380	176,215	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,635,160	3,388,081	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,680	34,546	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	42.1	19.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,436	514	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,470	660	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	14.0° S	32.9° S	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won13 countries · 3 lives left

   SenegalvsMontenegro

   Proximity to equator: 15.2° N vs 42.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Montenegro.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Senegal against Montenegro

   Category	Senegal	Montenegro	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	196,722	13,812	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	18,077,573	623,529	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,782	31,863	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	91.9	45.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	648	2,534	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	531	293.5	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.2° N	42.8° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won14 countries · 3 lives left

   IrelandvsKuwait

   Coastline: 1,448 vs 499 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kuwait.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ireland against Kuwait

   Category	Ireland	Kuwait	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	70,273	17,818	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,311,538	4,853,420	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	133,440	53,083	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	75.6	272.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,041	300	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,448	499	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.1° N	29.4° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won15 countries · 3 lives left

   MexicovsAlbania

   Population: 129,739,759 vs 2,411,658 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Albania.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mexico against Albania

   Category	Mexico	Albania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,964,375	28,748	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	129,739,759	2,411,658	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,188	24,848	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	66.0	83.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,636	2,764	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	9,330	362	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	11	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.5° N	40.7° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Lost14 countries · 2 lives left

   MoldovavsPortugal

   Highest peak: 430 vs 2,351 m · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Moldova.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Moldova against Portugal

   Category	Moldova	Portugal	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	33,851	92,090	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,457,783	10,578,174	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,751	49,800	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	72.6	114.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	430	2,351	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,793	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	6	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.5° N	40.7° N	Would lose