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Final empireDrag to exploreFollow the journey ↓

Out of lives

A little knowledge. An empire of 49.

49of 174 countries
in the final empire

45 rounds of instinct, surprises, and discovery. This is how the journey unfolded.

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Untimed expedition · Data edition 01051846d672

41Wins
4Losses
0Ties
Explore the final empire · 49 countries
The path through the world

One choice at a time.

45 rounds
Where it began · 12 countries

Burkina Faso · Madagascar · Dominican Republic · Russia · North Korea · Laos · Malawi · Malaysia · El Salvador · Switzerland · Haiti · Fiji

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

    Burkina FasovsLatvia

    Proximity to equator: 12.8° N vs 56.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Latvia.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Burkina Faso against Latvia
    CategoryBurkina FasoLatviaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑274,20064,589Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑23,025,7761,883,710Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑2,76242,784Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑84.029.2Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑749312Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑0498Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑32Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen12.8° N56.6° NWould win
  2. 2
    Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

    MadagascarvsUnited Arab Emirates

    Proximity to equator: 18.4° S vs 23.5° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered United Arab Emirates.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Madagascar against United Arab Emirates
    CategoryMadagascarUnited Arab EmiratesResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑587,04183,600Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑31,195,93210,483,751Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑1,81078,020Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑53.1125.4Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑2,8761,905Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑4,8281,318Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑34Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen18.4° S23.5° NWould win
  3. 3
    Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

    Dominican RepublicvsKyrgyzstan

    Coastline: 1,288 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Kyrgyzstan.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Dominican Republic against Kyrgyzstan
    CategoryDominican RepublicKyrgyzstanResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑48,670199,951Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑11,331,2657,099,750Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑25,8617,304Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑232.835.5Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑3,0987,439Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen1,2880Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑62Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓19.1° N41.7° NWould win
  4. 4
    Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

    RussiavsMaldives

    Area: 17,098,242 vs 298 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Maldives.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Russia against Maldives
    CategoryRussiaMaldivesResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen17,098,242298Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑143,826,130525,994Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑44,29924,807Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑8.41,765.1Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑5,6425Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑37,653644Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑33Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓63.6° N3.3° NWould lose
  5. 5
    Round 5Won17 countries · 4 lives left

    North KoreavsPortugal

    Population: 26,418,204 vs 10,578,174 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Portugal.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices
    All eight categories for North Korea against Portugal
    CategoryNorth KoreaPortugalResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑120,53892,090Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen26,418,20410,578,174Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.Unavailable49,800Unavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑219.2114.9Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑2,7442,351Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑2,4951,793Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑36Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓39.9° N40.7° NWould win
  6. 6
    Round 6Won18 countries · 4 lives left

    LaosvsAfghanistan

    Proximity to equator: 19.6° N vs 34.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Afghanistan.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice
    All eight categories for Laos against Afghanistan
    CategoryLaosAfghanistanResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑236,800652,230Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑7,664,99341,454,761Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑9,2992,204Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑32.463.6Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑2,8177,492Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑00Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑35Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen19.6° N34.3° NWould win
  7. 7
    Round 7Won19 countries · 4 lives left

    MalawivsTajikistan

    Proximity to equator: 13.4° S vs 38.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Tajikistan.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Malawi against Tajikistan
    CategoryMalawiTajikistanResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑118,484144,100Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑21,104,48210,389,799Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑1,8324,968Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑178.172.1Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑3,0027,495Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑00Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑34Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen13.4° S38.3° NWould win
  8. 8
    Round 8Won20 countries · 4 lives left

    MalaysiavsIsrael

    Area: 329,847 vs 21,937 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Israel.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Malaysia against Israel
    CategoryMalaysiaIsraelResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen329,84721,937Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑35,126,2989,849,000Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑36,49755,301Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑106.5449.0Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑4,0952,224Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑4,675273Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑42Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓4.4° N30.9° NWould win
  9. 9
    Round 9Won21 countries · 4 lives left

    El SalvadorvsMontenegro

    Population: 6,309,624 vs 623,529 people · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Montenegro.

    Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices
    All eight categories for El Salvador against Montenegro
    CategoryEl SalvadorMontenegroResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑21,04113,812Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen6,309,624623,529Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑12,66731,863Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑299.945.1Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑2,7302,534Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑307293.5Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑95Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓13.9° N42.8° NWould win
  10. 10
    Round 10Won22 countries · 4 lives left

    SwitzerlandvsCzechia

    Wealth per person: 93,940 vs 56,062 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Czechia.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Switzerland against Czechia
    CategorySwitzerlandCzechiaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑41,27778,867Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑8,888,82210,864,042Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen93,94056,062Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑215.3137.8Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑4,6341,602Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑00Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑23Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓46.7° N49.8° NWould win
  11. 11
    Round 11Won23 countries · 4 lives left

    HaitivsRomania

    Coastline: 1,771 vs 225 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Romania.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Haiti against Romania
    CategoryHaitiRomaniaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑27,750238,391Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑11,637,39819,061,062Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑3,26545,982Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑419.480.0Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑2,6742,544Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen1,771225Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑73Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓19.2° N45.7° NWould win
  12. 12
    Round 12Won24 countries · 4 lives left

    FijivsIran

    Proximity to equator: 17.8° S vs 32.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Iran.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice
    All eight categories for Fiji against Iran
    CategoryFijiIranResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑18,2741,648,195Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑924,14590,608,707Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑14,65618,933Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑50.655.0Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑1,3245,625Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑1,1292,440Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑83Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen17.8° S32.1° NWould win
  13. 13
    Round 13Won25 countries · 4 lives left

    Burkina FasovsArmenia

    Proximity to equator: 12.8° N vs 40.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Armenia.

    Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Burkina Faso against Armenia
    CategoryBurkina FasoArmeniaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑274,20029,743Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑23,025,7762,964,300Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑2,76221,552Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑84.099.7Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑7494,090Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑00Would tie
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑33Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen12.8° N40.6° NWould win
  14. 14
    Round 14Lost24 countries · 3 lives left

    LatviavsGuyana

    Wealth per person: 42,784 vs 54,774 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

    Returned to the world: Latvia.

    Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Latvia against Guyana
    CategoryLatviaGuyanaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑64,589214,969Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑1,883,710826,353Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen42,78454,774Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑29.23.8Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑3122,775Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑498459Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑25Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓56.6° N2.7° NWould lose
  15. 15
    Round 15Won25 countries · 3 lives left

    MadagascarvsLithuania

    Area: 587,041 vs 65,300 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Lithuania.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Madagascar against Lithuania
    CategoryMadagascarLithuaniaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen587,04165,300Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑31,195,9322,871,585Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑1,81052,720Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑53.144.0Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑2,876294Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑4,82890Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑33Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓18.4° S55.1° NWould win
  16. 16
    Round 16Won26 countries · 3 lives left

    United Arab EmiratesvsBosnia and Herzegovina

    Proximity to equator: 23.5° N vs 44.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices
    All eight categories for United Arab Emirates against Bosnia and Herzegovina
    CategoryUnited Arab EmiratesBosnia and HerzegovinaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑83,60051,197Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑10,483,7513,185,073Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑78,02023,376Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑125.462.2Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑1,9052,386Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑1,31820Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑43Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen23.5° N44.1° NWould win
  17. 17
    Round 17Won27 countries · 3 lives left

    Dominican RepublicvsMongolia

    Coastline: 1,288 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Mongolia.

    Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Dominican Republic against Mongolia
    CategoryDominican RepublicMongoliaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑48,6701,564,116Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑11,331,2653,481,145Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑25,86118,020Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑232.82.2Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑3,0984,374Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen1,2880Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑63Would win
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓19.1° N46.0° NWould win
  18. 18
    Round 18Won28 countries · 3 lives left

    KyrgyzstanvsCambodia

    Highest peak: 7,439 vs 1,810 m · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Cambodia.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice
    All eight categories for Kyrgyzstan against Cambodia
    CategoryKyrgyzstanCambodiaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑199,951181,035Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑7,099,75017,423,880Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑7,3047,437Would lose
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑35.596.2Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen7,4391,810Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑0443Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑24Would lose
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓41.7° N12.6° NWould lose
  19. 19
    Round 19Won29 countries · 3 lives left

    RussiavsCameroon

    Area: 17,098,242 vs 475,440 km² · Higher wins ↑

    Conquered Cameroon.

    Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices
    All eight categories for Russia against Cameroon
    CategoryRussiaCameroonResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen17,098,242475,440Would win
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑143,826,13028,372,687Would win
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑44,2995,415Would win
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑8.459.7Would lose
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑5,6424,045Would win
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑37,653402Would win
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑33Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓63.6° N4.5° NWould lose
  20. 20
    Round 20Won30 countries · 3 lives left

    MaldivesvsCuba

    Proximity to equator: 3.3° N vs 20.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

    Conquered Cuba.

    Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice
    All eight categories for Maldives against Cuba
    CategoryMaldivesCubaResult
    Areakm² · Higher wins ↑298110,860Would lose
    Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑525,99411,019,931Would lose
    Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑Cuba: World Bank has no 2023 figure for Cuba.24,807UnavailableUnavailable
    Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑1,765.199.4Would win
    Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑51,974Would lose
    Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑6443,735Would lose
    Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑33Would tie
    Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen3.3° N20.6° NWould win

There’s another world in you.