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

   SwitzerlandvsCentral African Republic

   Highest peak: 4,634 vs 1,410 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Central African Republic.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Switzerland against Central African Republic

   Category	Switzerland	Central African Republic	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	41,277	622,984	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,888,822	5,152,421	Would win
   Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	93,940	1,258	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	215.3	8.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4,634	1,410	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.7° N	7.0° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   IraqvsAzerbaijan

   Population: 45,074,049 vs 10,153,958 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Azerbaijan.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Iraq against Azerbaijan

   Category	Iraq	Azerbaijan	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	438,317	86,600	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	45,074,049	10,153,958	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,665	23,671	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	102.8	117.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,611	4,466	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	58	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	33.3° N	40.5° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   PhilippinesvsPoland

   Population: 114,891,199 vs 36,687,353 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Poland.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Philippines against Poland

   Category	Philippines	Poland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	300,000	312,685	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	114,891,199	36,687,353	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	10,995	48,473	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	383.0	117.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,954	2,499	Would win
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	36,289	440	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.0° N	51.9° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   IndonesiavsGabon

   Area: 1,904,569 vs 267,667 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Gabon.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Indonesia against Gabon

   Category	Indonesia	Gabon	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,904,569	267,667	Would win
   PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	281,190,067	2,484,789	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	15,428	20,773	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.6	9.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,884	1,050	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	54,716	885	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.0° S	0.6° S	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   KyrgyzstanvsAngola

   Flag colours: 2 vs 3 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Kyrgyzstan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Kyrgyzstan against Angola

   Category	Kyrgyzstan	Angola	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	199,951	1,246,700	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,099,750	36,749,906	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,304	9,550	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	35.5	29.5	Would win
   Highest peakBlocked in Hard · m · Higher wins ↑	7,439	2,620	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,600	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	41.7° N	13.2° S	Would lose