A little knowledge. An empire of 98.

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

   New ZealandvsBahamas

   Coastline: 15,134 vs 3,542 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bahamas.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for New Zealand against Bahamas

   Category	New Zealand	Bahamas	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	13,880	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	399,440	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	54,950	39,122	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	28.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	64	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	15,134	3,542	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.3° S	24.7° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   SpainvsTimor-Leste

   Population: 48,352,528 vs 1,384,286 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Timor-Leste.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Spain against Timor-Leste

   Category	Spain	Timor-Leste	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	505,370	14,874	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	48,352,528	1,384,286	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	55,661	4,811	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.7	93.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,718	2,963	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,964	706	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.0° N	8.9° S	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   BangladeshvsKyrgyzstan

   Population: 171,466,990 vs 7,099,750 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Kyrgyzstan.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bangladesh against Kyrgyzstan

   Category	Bangladesh	Kyrgyzstan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	148,460	199,951	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	171,466,990	7,099,750	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,155	7,304	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,155.0	35.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,060	7,439	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	580	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.3° N	41.7° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   PortugalvsIceland

   Proximity to equator: 40.7° N vs 64.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Iceland.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Portugal against Iceland

   Category	Portugal	Iceland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	92,090	103,000	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,578,174	385,663	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	49,800	82,257	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	114.9	3.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,351	2,110	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,793	4,970	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	40.7° N	64.7° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   CroatiavsTanzania

   Wealth per person: 47,760 vs 4,022 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Tanzania.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Croatia against Tanzania

   Category	Croatia	Tanzania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,594	947,300	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,859,686	66,617,606	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	47,760	4,022	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	68.2	70.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,831	5,895	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	5,835	1,424	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.8° N	5.5° S	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   EswatinivsYemen

   Flag colours: 6 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Yemen.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Eswatini against Yemen

   Category	Eswatini	Yemen	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,364	527,968	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,230,506	39,390,799	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Yemen: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Yemen.	11,309	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	70.9	74.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,862	3,666	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,906	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	26.6° S	15.3° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   IndiavsRepublic of the Congo

   Population: 1,438,069,596 vs 6,182,885 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Republic of the Congo.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for India against Republic of the Congo

   Category	India	Republic of the Congo	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	3,287,263	342,000	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,438,069,596	6,182,885	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,853	6,856	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	437.5	18.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,586	1,020	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,000	169	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.4° N	0.1° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

   TajikistanvsAustralia

   Density: 72.1 vs 3.4 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Australia.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Tajikistan against Australia

   Category	Tajikistan	Australia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	144,100	7,741,220	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,389,799	26,659,922	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,968	72,273	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	72.1	3.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	7,495	2,228	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	25,760	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	38.3° N	23.1° S	Would lose

9. 9
   Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

   NigeriavsDominican Republic

   Population: 227,882,945 vs 11,331,265 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Dominican Republic.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Nigeria against Dominican Republic

   Category	Nigeria	Dominican Republic	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	923,768	48,670	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	227,882,945	11,331,265	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,712	25,861	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	246.7	232.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,419	3,098	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	853	1,288	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	9.4° N	19.1° N	Would win

10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    ChadvsNorth Macedonia

    Area: 1,284,000 vs 25,713 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered North Macedonia.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Chad against North Macedonia

    Category	Chad	North Macedonia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,284,000	25,713	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	19,319,064	1,827,816	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,703	25,354	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	15.0	71.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,445	2,764	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.3° N	41.5° N	Would win

11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    MoldovavsFiji

    Wealth per person: 17,751 vs 14,656 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Fiji.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Moldova against Fiji

    Category	Moldova	Fiji	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	33,851	18,274	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,457,783	924,145	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	17,751	14,656	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	72.6	50.6	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	430	1,324	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,129	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	8	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.5° N	17.8° S	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    FrancevsBelgium

    Area: 551,500 vs 30,528 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Belgium.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for France against Belgium

    Category	France	Belgium	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	551,500	30,528	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	65,925,961	11,779,946	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	60,927	72,630	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	119.5	385.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,810	694	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,427	66.5	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.7° N	50.8° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    New ZealandvsGermany

    Proximity to equator: 45.3° S vs 51.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Germany.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for New Zealand against Germany

    Category	New Zealand	Germany	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	268,838	357,022	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,200,000	83,287,273	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	54,950	72,262	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.3	233.3	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,724	2,963	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	15,134	2,389	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	45.3° S	51.0° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won26 countries · 4 lives left

    BahamasvsColombia

    Wealth per person: 39,122 vs 21,282 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Colombia.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Bahamas against Colombia

    Category	Bahamas	Colombia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,880	1,138,910	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	399,440	52,321,152	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	39,122	21,282	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	28.8	45.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	64	5,730	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,542	3,208	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.7° N	3.4° N	Would lose

15. 15
    Round 15Won27 countries · 4 lives left

    SpainvsMongolia

    Density: 95.7 vs 2.2 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Mongolia.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Spain against Mongolia

    Category	Spain	Mongolia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	505,370	1,564,116	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	48,352,528	3,481,145	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	55,661	18,020	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	95.7	2.2	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,718	4,374	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,964	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.0° N	46.0° N	Would win

16. 16
    Round 16Won28 countries · 4 lives left

    Timor-LestevsBurkina Faso

    Coastline: 706 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Burkina Faso.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Timor-Leste against Burkina Faso

    Category	Timor-Leste	Burkina Faso	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	14,874	274,200	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,384,286	23,025,776	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,811	2,762	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	93.1	84.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,963	749	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	706	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.9° S	12.8° N	Would win

17. 17
    Round 17Won29 countries · 4 lives left

    BangladeshvsTogo

    Population: 171,466,990 vs 8,223,850 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Togo.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Bangladesh against Togo

    Category	Bangladesh	Togo	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	148,460	56,785	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	171,466,990	8,223,850	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,155	3,572	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,155.0	144.8	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,060	986	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	580	56	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.3° N	8.9° N	Would lose

18. 18
    Round 18Won30 countries · 4 lives left

    KyrgyzstanvsTurkmenistan

    Highest peak: 7,439 vs 3,139 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Turkmenistan.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Kyrgyzstan against Turkmenistan

    Category	Kyrgyzstan	Turkmenistan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	199,951	488,100	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,099,750	7,364,438	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,304	19,645	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	35.5	15.1	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,439	3,139	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.7° N	39.9° N	Would lose

19. 19
    Round 19Won31 countries · 4 lives left

    PortugalvsItaly

    Flag colours: 6 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Italy.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Portugal against Italy

    Category	Portugal	Italy	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	92,090	301,340	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,578,174	58,984,216	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	49,800	60,350	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	114.9	195.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,351	4,748	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,793	7,600	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.7° N	45.1° N	Would win

20. 20
    Round 20Won32 countries · 4 lives left

    IcelandvsArgentina

    Wealth per person: 82,257 vs 30,246 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Argentina.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Iceland against Argentina

    Category	Iceland	Argentina	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	103,000	2,780,400	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	385,663	45,538,401	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	82,257	30,246	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	3.7	16.4	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,110	6,962	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,970	4,989	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	64.7° N	31.4° S	Would lose