A little knowledge. An empire of 79.

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

   MaldivesvsTogo

   Coastline: 644 vs 56 km · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Togo.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Maldives against Togo

   Category	Maldives	Togo	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	298	56,785	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	525,994	8,223,850	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	24,807	3,572	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,765.1	144.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5	986	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	644	56	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.3° N	8.9° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   SyriavsGeorgia

   Proximity to equator: 35.0° N vs 42.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Georgia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Syria against Georgia

   Category	Syria	Georgia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	187,437	69,700	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	23,594,623	3,715,483	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	Unavailable	25,093	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.9	53.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,814	5,193	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	310	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	35.0° N	42.4° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   ColombiavsSenegal

   Highest peak: 5,730 vs 648 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Senegal.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Colombia against Senegal

   Category	Colombia	Senegal	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,138,910	196,722	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	52,321,152	18,077,573	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,282	4,782	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.9	91.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,730	648	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,208	531	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.4° N	15.2° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Lost14 countries · 3 lives left

   DjiboutivsDominican Republic

   Flag colours: 4 vs 6 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Djibouti.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Djibouti against Dominican Republic

   Category	Djibouti	Dominican Republic	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	23,200	48,670	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,152,944	11,331,265	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,232	25,861	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	49.7	232.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,021	3,098	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	314	1,288	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	4	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	11.4° N	19.1° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won15 countries · 3 lives left

   CameroonvsCroatia

   Proximity to equator: 4.5° N vs 45.8° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Croatia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Cameroon against Croatia

   Category	Cameroon	Croatia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	475,440	56,594	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	28,372,687	3,859,686	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	5,415	47,760	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.7	68.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,045	1,831	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	402	5,835	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	4.5° N	45.8° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Won16 countries · 3 lives left

   BotswanavsEl Salvador

   Area: 581,730 vs 21,041 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered El Salvador.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Botswana against El Salvador

   Category	Botswana	El Salvador	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	581,730	21,041	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,480,244	6,309,624	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,029	12,667	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.3	299.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,495	2,730	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	307	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	9	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° S	13.9° N	Would lose

7. 7
   Round 7Won17 countries · 3 lives left

   IranvsEgypt

   Wealth per person: 18,933 vs 18,540 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Egypt.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Iran against Egypt

   Category	Iran	Egypt	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,648,195	1,001,450	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	90,608,707	114,535,772	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	18,933	18,540	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	55.0	114.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,625	2,629	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,440	2,450	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	26.3° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Won18 countries · 3 lives left

   United Arab EmiratesvsVietnam

   Wealth per person: 78,020 vs 15,034 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vietnam.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for United Arab Emirates against Vietnam

   Category	United Arab Emirates	Vietnam	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	83,600	331,210	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,483,751	100,352,192	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	78,020	15,034	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.4	303.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,905	3,144	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,318	3,444	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	23.5° N	21.7° N	Would lose

9. 9
   Round 9Won19 countries · 3 lives left

   AustriavsSudan

   Wealth per person: 74,261 vs 2,423 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Austria against Sudan

   Category	Austria	Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	83,871	1,861,484	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,131,761	50,042,791	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	74,261	2,423	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	108.9	26.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,798	3,042	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	853	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.7° N	16.6° N	Would lose

10. 10
    Round 10Won20 countries · 3 lives left

    LuxembourgvsBahrain

    Wealth per person: 152,596 vs 64,224 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Bahrain.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Luxembourg against Bahrain

    Category	Luxembourg	Bahrain	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	2,586	760	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	666,430	1,577,059	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	152,596	64,224	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	257.7	2,075.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	559	135	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	161	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	49.7° N	26.0° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won21 countries · 3 lives left

    MontenegrovsPakistan

    Wealth per person: 31,863 vs 6,019 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Pakistan.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Montenegro against Pakistan

    Category	Montenegro	Pakistan	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,812	796,095	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	623,529	247,504,495	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	31,863	6,019	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	310.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,534	8,611	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	293.5	1,046	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.8° N	27.8° N	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Won22 countries · 3 lives left

    BahamasvsArmenia

    Coastline: 3,542 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Armenia.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Bahamas against Armenia

    Category	Bahamas	Armenia	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,880	29,743	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	399,440	2,964,300	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	39,122	21,552	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	28.8	99.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	64	4,090	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,542	0	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.7° N	40.6° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won23 countries · 3 lives left

    MaldivesvsIndia

    Proximity to equator: 3.3° N vs 22.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered India.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Maldives against India

    Category	Maldives	India	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	298	3,287,263	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	525,994	1,438,069,596	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	24,807	9,853	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,765.1	437.5	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5	8,586	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	644	7,000	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	3.3° N	22.4° N	Would win

14. 14
    Round 14Won24 countries · 3 lives left

    TogovsAlbania

    Proximity to equator: 8.9° N vs 40.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Albania.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Togo against Albania

    Category	Togo	Albania	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,785	28,748	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	8,223,850	2,411,658	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,572	24,848	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	144.8	83.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	986	2,764	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	56	362	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	8.9° N	40.7° N	Would win

15. 15
    Round 15Won25 countries · 3 lives left

    SyriavsGuatemala

    Population: 23,594,623 vs 18,124,838 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Guatemala.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Syria against Guatemala

    Category	Syria	Guatemala	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	187,437	108,889	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	23,594,623	18,124,838	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	Unavailable	13,752	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	125.9	166.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,814	4,220	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	193	400	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	9	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	35.0° N	15.0° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Won26 countries · 3 lives left

    GeorgiavsVenezuela

    Highest peak: 5,193 vs 4,978 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Venezuela.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Georgia against Venezuela

    Category	Georgia	Venezuela	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	69,700	912,050	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,715,483	28,300,854	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.	25,093	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	53.3	31.0	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,193	4,978	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	310	2,800	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	42.4° N	7.2° N	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won27 countries · 3 lives left

    ColombiavsGuinea-Bissau

    Area: 1,138,910 vs 36,125 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Guinea-Bissau.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Colombia against Guinea-Bissau

    Category	Colombia	Guinea-Bissau	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,138,910	36,125	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	52,321,152	2,153,339	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,282	2,956	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.9	59.6	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,730	277	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,208	350	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.4° N	12.1° N	Would win

18. 18
    Round 18Won28 countries · 3 lives left

    SenegalvsEquatorial Guinea

    Population: 18,077,573 vs 1,847,549 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Equatorial Guinea.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Senegal against Equatorial Guinea

    Category	Senegal	Equatorial Guinea	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	196,722	28,051	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	18,077,573	1,847,549	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,782	16,997	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	91.9	65.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	648	3,008	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	531	296	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	8	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.2° N	1.6° N	Would lose

19. 19
    Round 19Won29 countries · 3 lives left

    CameroonvsCosta Rica

    Area: 475,440 vs 51,100 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Costa Rica.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Cameroon against Costa Rica

    Category	Cameroon	Costa Rica	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	475,440	51,100	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	28,372,687	5,105,525	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	5,415	29,248	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	59.7	99.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,045	3,819	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	402	1,290	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	4.5° N	10.1° N	Would win

20. 20
    Round 20Won30 countries · 3 lives left

    CroatiavsTrinidad and Tobago

    Coastline: 5,835 vs 362 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Trinidad and Tobago.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Croatia against Trinidad and Tobago

    Category	Croatia	Trinidad and Tobago	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	56,594	5,128	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,859,686	1,367,510	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	47,760	34,652	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	68.2	266.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,831	940	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,835	362	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	45.8° N	10.3° N	Would lose