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

   IndonesiavsPakistan

   Population: 281,190,067 vs 247,504,495 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Pakistan.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Indonesia against Pakistan

   Category	Indonesia	Pakistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,904,569	796,095	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	281,190,067	247,504,495	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	15,428	6,019	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.6	310.9	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,884	8,611	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	54,716	1,046	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	2	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	1.0° S	27.8° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   Burkina FasovsCabo Verde

   Population: 23,025,776 vs 522,331 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Cabo Verde.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Burkina Faso against Cabo Verde

   Category	Burkina Faso	Cabo Verde	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	274,200	4,033	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	23,025,776	522,331	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,762	10,251	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	84.0	129.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	749	2,829	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	965	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.8° N	15.0° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   BelgiumvsVanuatu

   Population: 11,779,946 vs 320,409 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Vanuatu.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Belgium against Vanuatu

   Category	Belgium	Vanuatu	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	30,528	12,189	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	11,779,946	320,409	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	72,630	4,202	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	385.9	26.3	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	694	1,877	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	66.5	2,528	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	50.8° N	15.4° S	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Lost14 countries · 3 lives left

   South SudanvsIran

   Area: 644,329 vs 1,648,195 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: South Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for South Sudan against Iran

   Category	South Sudan	Iran	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	644,329	1,648,195	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	11,483,374	90,608,707	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	Unavailable	18,933	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.8	55.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,187	5,625	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,440	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	32.1° N	Would win