A little knowledge. An empire of 23.

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

   FinlandvsBosnia and Herzegovina

   Wealth per person: 63,467 vs 23,376 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Bosnia and Herzegovina.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Finland against Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Category	Finland	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	338,145	51,197	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,583,911	3,185,073	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	63,467	23,376	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.5	62.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,328	2,386	Would lose
   CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	1,250	20	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	63.3° N	44.1° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   LiberiavsKuwait

   Proximity to equator: 7.0° N vs 29.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Kuwait.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Liberia against Kuwait

   Category	Liberia	Kuwait	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	111,369	17,818	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,493,031	4,853,420	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,796	53,083	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	49.3	272.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,447	300	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	579	499	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.0° N	29.4° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   AngolavsPhilippines

   Proximity to equator: 13.2° S vs 17.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Philippines.

   Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Angola against Philippines

   Category	Angola	Philippines	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	1,246,700	300,000	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	36,749,906	114,891,199	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,550	10,995	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.5	383.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,620	2,954	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,600	36,289	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.2° S	17.0° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   GhanavsMadagascar

   Proximity to equator: 7.0° N vs 18.4° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Madagascar.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ghana against Madagascar

   Category	Ghana	Madagascar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,533	587,041	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	33,787,914	31,195,932	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,563	1,810	Would win
   DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	141.6	53.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	885	2,876	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	539	4,828	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	7.0° N	18.4° S	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

   IranvsSolomon Islands

   Area: 1,648,195 vs 28,896 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Solomon Islands.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Iran against Solomon Islands

   Category	Iran	Solomon Islands	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,648,195	28,896	Would win
   PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	90,608,707	800,005	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	18,933	2,599	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	55.0	27.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,625	2,335	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,440	5,313	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	9.6° S	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

   UgandavsChina

   Flag colours: 5 vs 2 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered China.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Uganda against China

   Category	Uganda	China	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	241,038	9,596,960	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	48,656,601	1,410,710,000	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,100	25,200	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	201.9	147.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	8,849	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	14,500	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	2.0° N	32.5° N	Would win

7. 7
   Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

   DR CongovsSingapore

   Population: 105,789,731 vs 5,917,648 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Singapore.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for DR Congo against Singapore

   Category	DR Congo	Singapore	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	2,344,858	719	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	105,789,731	5,917,648	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,732	144,728	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	45.1	8,230.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,110	166	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	37	193	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.9° S	1.4° N	Would lose

8. 8
   Round 8Lost18 countries · 3 lives left

   LaosvsSri Lanka

   Population: 7,664,993 vs 22,037,000 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Laos.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Laos against Sri Lanka

   Category	Laos	Sri Lanka	Result
   AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	236,800	65,610	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,664,993	22,037,000	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,299	14,512	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	32.4	335.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,817	2,524	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,340	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.6° N	7.1° N	Would lose

9. 9
   Round 9Won19 countries · 3 lives left

   EcuadorvsTunisia

   Highest peak: 6,267 vs 1,544 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Tunisia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ecuador against Tunisia

   Category	Ecuador	Tunisia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	283,561	163,610	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,980,083	12,200,431	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	15,907	14,052	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	63.4	74.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	6,267	1,544	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,237	1,148	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	11	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.2° S	35.3° N	Would win

10. 10
    Round 10Lost18 countries · 2 lives left

    VanuatuvsVenezuela

    Density: 26.3 vs 31.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Vanuatu.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Vanuatu against Venezuela

    Category	Vanuatu	Venezuela	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	12,189	912,050	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	320,409	28,300,854	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Venezuela: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Venezuela.	4,202	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	26.3	31.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,877	4,978	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,528	2,800	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	15.4° S	7.2° N	Would lose

11. 11
    Round 11Won19 countries · 2 lives left

    OmanvsMaldives

    Wealth per person: 41,980 vs 24,807 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Maldives.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Oman against Maldives

    Category	Oman	Maldives	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	309,500	298	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,049,269	525,994	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	41,980	24,807	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.3	1,765.1	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,004	5	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,092	644	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	22.1° N	3.3° N	Would lose

12. 12
    Round 12Lost18 countries · 1 life left

    NigervsEgypt

    Population: 26,159,867 vs 114,535,772 people · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Niger.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Niger against Egypt

    Category	Niger	Egypt	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,267,000	1,001,450	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	26,159,867	114,535,772	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,903	18,540	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	20.6	114.4	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,022	2,629	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,450	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorBlocked in Hard · from the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.6° N	26.3° N	Would win

13. 13
    Round 13Won19 countries · 1 life left

    FinlandvsNigeria

    Coastline: 1,250 vs 853 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Nigeria.

    Other category comparisons 0 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Finland against Nigeria

    Category	Finland	Nigeria	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	338,145	923,768	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,583,911	227,882,945	Would lose
    Wealth per personBlocked in Hard · int’l $ · Higher wins ↑	63,467	8,712	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	16.5	246.7	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,328	2,419	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,250	853	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	63.3° N	9.4° N	Would lose

14. 14
    Round 14Won20 countries · 1 life left

    Bosnia and HerzegovinavsCabo Verde

    Population: 3,185,073 vs 522,331 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Cabo Verde.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Cabo Verde

    Category	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Cabo Verde	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	51,197	4,033	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3,185,073	522,331	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	23,376	10,251	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	62.2	129.5	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,386	2,829	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	20	965	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	44.1° N	15.0° N	Would lose

15. 15
    Round 15Won21 countries · 1 life left

    LiberiavsEquatorial Guinea

    Population: 5,493,031 vs 1,847,549 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Equatorial Guinea.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Liberia against Equatorial Guinea

    Category	Liberia	Equatorial Guinea	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	111,369	28,051	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,493,031	1,847,549	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	1,796	16,997	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	49.3	65.9	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,447	3,008	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	579	296	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	8	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	1.6° N	Would lose

16. 16
    Round 16Won22 countries · 1 life left

    KuwaitvsCosta Rica

    Wealth per person: 53,083 vs 29,248 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Costa Rica.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

    All eight categories for Kuwait against Costa Rica

    Category	Kuwait	Costa Rica	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	17,818	51,100	Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	4,853,420	5,105,525	Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	53,083	29,248	Would win
    DensityBlocked in Hard · per km² · Higher wins ↑	272.4	99.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	300	3,819	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	499	1,290	Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	29.4° N	10.1° N	Would lose

17. 17
    Round 17Won23 countries · 1 life left

    AngolavsJordan

    Proximity to equator: 13.2° S vs 30.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Jordan.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Angola against Jordan

    Category	Angola	Jordan	Result
    AreaBlocked in Hard · km² · Higher wins ↑	1,246,700	89,342	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	36,749,906	11,439,213	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,550	11,451	Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.5	128.0	Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,620	1,854	Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,600	26	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.2° S	30.7° N	Would win

18. 18
    Round 18Won24 countries · 1 life left

    PhilippinesvsSyria

    Population: 114,891,199 vs 23,594,623 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Syria.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Philippines against Syria

    Category	Philippines	Syria	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	300,000	187,437	Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	114,891,199	23,594,623	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Syria: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Syria.	10,995	Unavailable	Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	383.0	125.9	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,954	2,814	Would win
    CoastlineBlocked in Hard · km · Higher wins ↑	36,289	193	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.0° N	35.0° N	Would win

19. 19
    Round 19Lost23 countries · 0 lives left

    GhanavsGuinea

    Highest peak: 885 vs 1,752 m · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Ghana.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

    All eight categories for Ghana against Guinea

    Category	Ghana	Guinea	Result
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	238,533	245,857	Would lose
    PopulationBlocked in Hard · people · Higher wins ↑	33,787,914	14,405,468	Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	7,563	4,337	Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	141.6	58.6	Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	885	1,752	Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	539	320	Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.0° N	10.7° N	Would win