A little knowledge. An empire of 14.

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

   ZimbabwevsMontenegro

   Area: 390,757 vs 13,812 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Montenegro.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Zimbabwe against Montenegro

   Category	Zimbabwe	Montenegro	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	390,757	13,812	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	16,340,822	623,529	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	5,796	31,863	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	41.8	45.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,592	2,534	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	293.5	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	5	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.0° S	42.8° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   SpainvsMalta

   Area: 505,370 vs 316 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Malta.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Spain against Malta

   Category	Spain	Malta	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	505,370	316	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	48,352,528	552,747	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	55,661	67,101	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	95.7	1,749.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,718	253	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	4,964	196.8	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.0° N	35.9° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   BahamasvsZambia

   Flag colours: 3 vs 4 colours · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Bahamas.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Bahamas against Zambia

   Category	Bahamas	Zambia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	13,880	752,618	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	399,440	20,723,965	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	39,122	4,080	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	28.8	27.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	64	2,330	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	3,542	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	24.7° N	14.7° S	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won14 countries · 3 lives left

   AustriavsTurkmenistan

   Wealth per person: 74,261 vs 19,645 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Turkmenistan.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Austria against Turkmenistan

   Category	Austria	Turkmenistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	83,871	488,100	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	9,131,761	7,364,438	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	74,261	19,645	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	108.9	15.1	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,798	3,139	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.7° N	39.9° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Won15 countries · 3 lives left

   LibyavsGuyana

   Area: 1,759,540 vs 214,969 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Guyana.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Libya against Guyana

   Category	Libya	Guyana	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,759,540	214,969	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	7,305,659	826,353	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	13,858	54,774	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.2	3.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,267	2,775	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,770	459	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	26.1° N	2.7° N	Would lose

6. 6
   Round 6Lost14 countries · 2 lives left

   BrazilvsUnited States

   Area: 8,515,770 vs 9,833,517 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Brazil.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Brazil against United States

   Category	Brazil	United States	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	8,515,770	9,833,517	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	211,140,729	336,755,052	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	21,193	82,587	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	24.8	34.2	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,994	6,190	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	7,491	19,924	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° S	39.1° N	Would win