A little knowledge. An empire of 15.

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

   PhilippinesvsMongolia

   Population: 114,891,199 vs 3,481,145 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Mongolia.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Philippines against Mongolia

   Category	Philippines	Mongolia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	300,000	1,564,116	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	114,891,199	3,481,145	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	10,995	18,020	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	383.0	2.2	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,954	4,374	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	36,289	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	17.0° N	46.0° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   SlovakiavsEgypt

   Wealth per person: 45,865 vs 18,540 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Egypt.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Slovakia against Egypt

   Category	Slovakia	Egypt	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	49,035	1,001,450	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,426,740	114,535,772	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	45,865	18,540	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	110.7	114.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,655	2,629	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,450	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	48.7° N	26.3° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   LebanonvsNepal

   Density: 555.1 vs 201.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Nepal.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Lebanon against Nepal

   Category	Lebanon	Nepal	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	10,400	147,181	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,773,493	29,694,614	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,585	5,400	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	555.1	201.8	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,088	8,849	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.2° N	29.0° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Won16 countries · 4 lives left

   United StatesvsTajikistan

   Population: 336,755,052 vs 10,389,799 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Tajikistan.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United States against Tajikistan

   Category	United States	Tajikistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,833,517	144,100	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	336,755,052	10,389,799	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	82,587	4,968	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	34.2	72.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,190	7,495	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	19,924	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.1° N	38.3° N	Would lose

5. 5
   Round 5Lost15 countries · 3 lives left

   GambiavsDjibouti

   Proximity to equator: 13.6° N vs 11.4° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Returned to the world: Gambia.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gambia against Djibouti

   Category	Gambia	Djibouti	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	11,300	23,200	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,697,845	1,152,944	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,292	7,232	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	238.7	49.7	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	63	2,021	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	80	314	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	4	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.6° N	11.4° N	Would lose