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

   JamaicavsBelgium

   Coastline: 1,022 vs 66.5 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Belgium.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Jamaica against Belgium

   Category	Jamaica	Belgium	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	10,991	30,528	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,839,786	11,779,946	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,661	72,630	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	258.4	385.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,256	694	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,022	66.5	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	18.1° N	50.8° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   Côte d’IvoirevsAustria

   Area: 322,463 vs 83,871 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Austria.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Côte d’Ivoire against Austria

   Category	Côte d’Ivoire	Austria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	322,463	83,871	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	31,165,654	9,131,761	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,243	74,261	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	96.6	108.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,752	3,798	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	515	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.5° N	47.7° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   MauritaniavsHungary

   Area: 1,030,700 vs 93,028 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Hungary.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mauritania against Hungary

   Category	Mauritania	Hungary	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,030,700	93,028	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,022,441	9,592,186	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,972	46,376	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.9	103.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	915	1,014	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	754	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.4° N	47.3° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   SwedenvsDR Congo

   Coastline: 3,218 vs 37 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered DR Congo.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Sweden against DR Congo

   Category	Sweden	DR Congo	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	450,295	2,344,858	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,536,632	105,789,731	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	68,458	1,732	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	23.4	45.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,100	5,110	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,218	37	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	65.8° N	1.9° S	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   IsraelvsUnited Arab Emirates

   Coastline: 273 vs 1,318 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Israel.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Israel against United Arab Emirates

   Category	Israel	United Arab Emirates	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	21,937	83,600	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,849,000	10,483,751	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	55,301	78,020	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	449.0	125.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,224	1,905	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	273	1,318	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	30.9° N	23.5° N	Would lose