A little knowledge. An empire of 9.

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

   OmanvsMali

   Population: 5,049,269 vs 23,769,127 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Oman.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Oman against Mali

   Category	Oman	Mali	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	309,500	1,240,192	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,049,269	23,769,127	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	41,980	3,178	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.3	19.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,004	1,155	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,092	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° N	18.6° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Lost10 countries · 2 lives left

   IrelandvsSyria

   Population: 5,311,538 vs 23,594,623 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Ireland against Syria

   Category	Ireland	Syria	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	70,273	187,437	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,311,538	23,594,623	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	133,440	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	75.6	125.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,041	2,814	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,448	193	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	53.1° N	35.0° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Lost9 countries · 1 life left

   SingaporevsMozambique

   Population: 5,917,648 vs 33,635,160 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Singapore.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Singapore against Mozambique

   Category	Singapore	Mozambique	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	719	799,380	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,917,648	33,635,160	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	144,728	1,680	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	8,230.4	42.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	166	2,436	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	2,470	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.4° N	14.0° S	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won10 countries · 1 life left

   BruneivsLiberia

   Wealth per person: 85,103 vs 1,796 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Liberia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Brunei against Liberia

   Category	Brunei	Liberia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,765	111,369	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	458,949	5,493,031	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	85,103	1,796	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	79.6	49.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,850	1,447	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	161	579	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	4.5° N	7.0° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost9 countries · 0 lives left

   MoldovavsSaudi Arabia

   Highest peak: 430 vs 3,000 m · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Moldova.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Moldova against Saudi Arabia

   Category	Moldova	Saudi Arabia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	33,851	2,149,690	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,457,783	33,702,731	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	17,751	71,624	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	72.6	15.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	430	3,000	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,640	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.5° N	23.5° N	Would lose