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

   Trinidad and TobagovsAngola

   Density: 266.7 vs 29.5 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Angola.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Trinidad and Tobago against Angola

   Category	Trinidad and Tobago	Angola	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	5,128	1,246,700	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,367,510	36,749,906	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	34,652	9,550	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	266.7	29.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	940	2,620	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	362	1,600	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	10.3° N	13.2° S	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   EcuadorvsZambia

   Proximity to equator: 1.2° S vs 14.7° S from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Zambia.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ecuador against Zambia

   Category	Ecuador	Zambia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	283,561	752,618	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	17,980,083	20,723,965	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	15,907	4,080	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	63.4	27.5	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,267	2,330	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,237	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	11	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	1.2° S	14.7° S	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   Republic of the CongovsItaly

   Proximity to equator: 0.1° N vs 45.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Italy.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Republic of the Congo against Italy

   Category	Republic of the Congo	Italy	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	342,000	301,340	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,182,885	58,984,216	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,856	60,350	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	18.1	195.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,020	4,748	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	169	7,600	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	0.1° N	45.1° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Lost14 countries · 3 lives left

   Sri LankavsNorth Korea

   Coastline: 1,340 vs 2,495 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Sri Lanka.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Sri Lanka against North Korea

   Category	Sri Lanka	North Korea	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	65,610	120,538	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	22,037,000	26,418,204	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑North Korea: World Bank has no 2023 figure for North Korea.	14,512	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	335.9	219.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,524	2,744	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,340	2,495	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	5	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	7.1° N	39.9° N	Would win