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

   NorwayvsEl Salvador

   Wealth per person: 107,768 vs 12,667 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered El Salvador.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Norway against El Salvador

   Category	Norway	El Salvador	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	323,802	21,041	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,519,601	6,309,624	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	107,768	12,667	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.0	299.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,469	2,730	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	25,148	307	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	61.5° N	13.9° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   South SudanvsPakistan

   Proximity to equator: 7.1° N vs 27.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Pakistan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for South Sudan against Pakistan

   Category	South Sudan	Pakistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	644,329	796,095	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,483,374	247,504,495	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	Unavailable	6,019	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.8	310.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,187	8,611	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,046	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.1° N	27.8° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   EritreavsCzechia

   Proximity to equator: 16.0° N vs 49.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Czechia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Eritrea against Czechia

   Category	Eritrea	Czechia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	117,600	78,867	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,470,390	10,864,042	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Eritrea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Eritrea.	Unavailable	56,062	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.5	137.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,018	1,602	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,234	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	16.0° N	49.8° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   EswatinivsIceland

   Proximity to equator: 26.6° S vs 64.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Iceland.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Eswatini against Iceland

   Category	Eswatini	Iceland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,364	103,000	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,230,506	385,663	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	11,309	82,257	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	70.9	3.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,862	2,110	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	4,970	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	26.6° S	64.7° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   FijivsBolivia

   Proximity to equator: 17.8° S vs 16.7° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Returned to the world: Fiji.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Fiji against Bolivia

   Category	Fiji	Bolivia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	18,274	1,098,581	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	924,145	12,244,159	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	14,656	12,903	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	50.6	11.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,324	6,542	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,129	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	8	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	17.8° S	16.7° S	Would lose