History Recap / Survivor

* '''Starting tribes:''' TBA.
* The first season since ''Blood vs. Water'' to mix returning players with new players. A new twist called "the Island of Extinction" is brought in, which is basically Redemption Island without the duels and with scarce supplies, and anyone on Extinction can quit at any time.

* '''Winner:''' [[spoiler:Amber Brkich (from ''Australia'') of Beaver, Pennsylvania]]

* Like the previous season, Redemption Island was also in play, as well as two Hidden Immunity Idols.

!! '''16: ''Micronesia - Fans vs Favorites''''' -- (Winter 2008)

!! '''20: ''Heroes vs Villains''''' (Winter 2010)

!! '''26: ''Caramoan - Fans vs Favorites''''' (Winter 2013)

!! '''33: ''Millennials vs Gen X''''' (Fall 2016)

!! '''35: ''Heroes v Healers v Hustlers''''' (Fall 2017)

!! '''37: ''David vs Goliath''''' (Fall 2018)

* This season introduced an "idol nullifier" advantage to the game which can nullify the powers of a Hidden Immunity Idol if the holder is able to correctly guess if and who the Idol would be played for at that Tribal Council.

* The series was the first US show ever to be filmed within China. Like ''Pearl Islands'', the season had a specific theme, this time being the famous Chinese text ''Literature/TheArtOfWar''. Besides reusing the "kidnapping" system, the "kidnapped" member of a losing tribe would also be forced to give a message in a bottle to someone from the winning tribe cluing him/her in to the Hidden Immunity Idol.

* '''Starting tribes:''' David (people who have had to overcome adversity), and Goliath (who had natural advantages growing up)

* '''Starting tribes:''' ??? ("Davids", people who have had to overcome adversity), and ??? ("Goliaths", who had natural advantages growing up)

* For the first time, an "idol nullifier" advantage was added to the game that can nullify the powers of a Hidden Immunity Idol if the holder is able to correctly guess if and who the Idol would be played for at that Tribal Council.

* For the first time, an "idol nullifier" twist was added to the game that can nullify the powers of a Hidden Immunity Idol if the holder is able to correctly guess if and who the Idol would be played for at that Tribal Council.

* The season was loaded with secrets -- secret idols, secret advantages, etc. -- though as Jeff pointed out in the finale, almost none of the castaways were able to ''keep'' those secrets. It also debuted a new system to choose the Final Three, where the final Immunity winner could choose one other player to go forward and the remaining two players would compete in a fire-making challenge to be the third finalist. This new system has also sparked some major controversy, [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment which is all that can really be said about it]].

** '''Extra tribe:''' Yanuya, named after an island in Fiji and created after the second tribe swap.

* ''Ghost Island'' is themed after [[WhatAnIdiot/{{Survivor}} the series' infamous]] EpicFail moments, with many misused idols and other advantage items making a return and the new castaways are challenged to use them ''correctly'' this time. Ghost Island itself is the Exile Island system from previous seasons under a new name.

** '''Merged tribe:''' Lavita, a possible corruption of "la vida," the Spanish phrase for "life."

** '''Merged tribe:''' Vinaka, Fijian for "thank you", also a tribute to Earl Cole [[CallBack who suggested the same merged tribe name in]] ''Fiji''.

* A reunion season of 20 returning castaways, all renowned specifically for strategic gameplay. For the first time, two tribes went together at a tribal council to vote someone off together. This season also set a record of the most immunities at a tribal council, with five people immune at a six person tribal, resulting in an elimination without any votes. Unfortunately, the season also hosted another infamous moment that was memorable for all the wrong reasons, as Jeff Varner (from ''Australian Outback'' and ''Cambodia'') tried to paint Zeke Smith (from ''Millennials vs Gen X'') as untrustworthy by publicly outing him as UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}}, earning an immediate WhatTheHellHero reaction from the tribe and leading to Varner leaving the game while saying "MyGodWhatHaveIDone"

* ''Ghost Island'' is themed after [[WhatAnIdiot/{{Survivor}} the series' infamous]] EpicFail moments, though unlike other CallBack seasons it features new players instead of returning ones.

* The season was loaded with secrets -- secret idols, secret advantages, etc. -- though as Jeff pointed out in the finale, almost none of the castaways were able to ''keep'' those secrets. It also debuted a new system to choose the Final Three, where the final Immunity winner could choose one other player to go forward and the remaining two players would compete in a fire-making challenge to be the third finalist.

* '''Starting tribes:''' Aparri (Brawn), Luzon''' (Brains), and Solana (Beauty); named after a town at the mouth of the mighty Cagayan River, the largest island in the Philippines (on which both Manila, the capital, and Cagayan province are located), and a town at the southern end of Cagayan province, respectively

** '''Extra tribe:''' Tavua, a town in Ba Province on the largest island of Fiji and created in a tribe shuffle

%%* '''Winner:''' [[spoiler:--]]

->. A second "Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty" season after ''Cagayan''. For the first time, two Hidden Immunity Idols could be merged into a special "Super Idol" that could be used ''after'' the votes had been read, and it saw the first time a ''jury member'' was voted off the jury by a surviving contestant (a concept the producers had been considering for a few years prior). The season also set a record for contestants [[NonGameplayElimination medically evacuated]], with three having to be pulled from the game.

* A reunion season of 20 returning castaways, all renowned specifically for strategic gameplay. For the first time, two tribes went together at a tribal council to vote someone off together. This season also set a record of the most immunities at a tribal council, with five people immune at a six person tribal, resulting in an elimination without any votes. Unfortunately, the season also hosted another infamous moment that was memorable for all the wrong reasons, as Jeff Varner (from ''Australian Outback'' and ''Cambodia'') tried to paint Zeke Smith (from ''Millennials vs Gen X'') as untrustworthy by publicly outing him as {{Transsexual}}, earning an immediate WhatTheHellHero reaction from the tribe and leading to Varner leaving the game while saying "MyGodWhatHaveIDone"

* '''Number of castaways:''' 18, initially split based on their principal attributes

* '''Starting tribes:''' Escameca (blue collar), Masaya (white collar), and Nagarote ("no collar")

----
->'''31: ''Cambodia - Second Chance''''' -- Koh Rong, Sihanoukville Province, Cambodia (Fall 2015). 20 returning castaways, initially divided into two tribes of ten but the first tribe swap split them from two to ''three'' tribes (of six) named '''Ta Keo''', '''Bayon''', and '''Angkor''' after temples of Angkor Wat; the later merged tribe was named '''Orkun'''. For the first time, the cast was decided by a fan vote, with the results announced at the ''Worlds Apart'' finale and the selected castaways sent off to play that same night. Another new twist is that Hidden Immunity Idols are now hidden in places where there's a much higher chance of being caught, such as during challenges or even underneath the tribe shelter. Won by [[spoiler:[[BaldofAwesome Jeremy Collins]] (from ''San Juan del Sur'') of Foxboro, Massachusetts]].
->'''32: ''Kaôh Rōng''''' -- Koh Rong (Spring 2016). A second "Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty" season after ''Cagayan'', again with three tribes of six, '''Chan Loh''' (Brains), '''Gondol''' (Beauty) and '''To Tang''' (Brawn), all named after islands in the area, before merging into '''Dara''' (Khmer for "star"). For the first time, two Hidden Immunity Idols could be merged into a special "Super Idol" that could be used ''after'' the votes had been read, and it saw the first time a ''jury member'' was voted off the jury by a surviving contestant (a concept the producers had been considering for a few years prior). The season also set a record for contestants [[NonGameplayElimination medically evacuated]], with three having to be pulled from the game. Won by [[spoiler:[[AloofDarkHairedGirl Michele Fitzgerald]] of Freehold, New Jersey]].
->'''33: ''Millennials vs Gen X''''' -- Mamanuca Islands, Fiji (Fall 2016). Featuring two tribes of ten divided by age, '''Vanua''' (Millennials) and '''Takali''' (Generation X), Fijian for "homeland" and "open ocean" respectively, before the tribe swap split off a third '''Ikabula''' tribe and all three ultimately merged into '''Vinaka'''(Fijian for "thank you", also a tribute to Earl Cole [[CallBack who suggested the same merged tribe name in Fiji.]]) While ''Panama'' and ''Nicaragua'' also had age-based tribes, this is the first time that TheGenerationGap became the theme of the season. This is the first season where production, including both tribes, were forced to evacuate for a night due to a cyclone/hurricane, which could have killed someone. Won by [[spoiler:[[MommasBoy Adam Klein]] of San Francisco, California]].
->'''34: ''Game Changers - Mamanuca Islands''''' -- Fiji (Spring 2017). A reunion season of 20 returning castaways, all renowned specifically for strategic gameplay. Featuring two tribes, '''Mana''' and '''Nuku''', Fijian for "power" and "sand" respectively. A tribe swap split off into a third tribe called '''Tavua''', which is a town in Ba Province on the largest island of Fiji, before reverting back to the previous two and merging into '''Maku Maku''', a portmanteau of Mana and Nuku. For the first time, two tribes went together at a tribal council to vote someone off together. This season also set a record of the most immunities at a tribal council, with five people immune at a six person tribal, resulting in an elimination without any votes. Won by [[spoiler: [[PlayingBothSides Sarah Lacina]] of Cedar Rapids, Iowa]].
->'''35: ''Heroes v Healers v Hustlers''''' -- Fiji (Fall 2017). Includes 18 castaways divided by their positive traits: '''Levu''' ("Heroes", composed of military and EmergencyServices workers), '''Soko''' ("Healers", people in various medical professions), and '''Yawa''' ("Hustlers", rather than a specific type of job they're {{Determinator}}s in the jobs they do have).

!! '''06: ''The Amazon''''' -- (Winter 2003)

* '''Number of castaways:''' 20, initially split between {{Ascended Fan|boy}}s and [[MyGreatestSecondChance returning castaways]]
* '''Starting tribes:''' Airai (newcomers) and Malakal (returnees), named after locations in the area

->'''26: ''Caramoan - Fans vs Favorites''''' -- Caramoan (Winter 2013). Repeating the setup of ''Micronesia'', 20 players are divided between '''Bikal''' (Fans) and '''Gota''' (Favorites) before merging into '''Enil Edam''' (the first two named after a ''barangay'' (village) and a resort in the municipality itself, respectively, and the third suggested by Malcom Freberg in honor of his mother, [[SdrawkcabName Madeline]]). It unfortunately hosted one of the series' more infamous moments, where Brandon Hantz (from ''South Pacific'' and nephew of Russell) had a tense emotional breakdown that just barely avoided turning violent. Won by [[spoiler:[[TheShortGuyWithGlasses John Cochran]] (from ''South Pacific'') of Washington D.C. in a CurbStompBattle of 8-0-0. [[FlawlessVictory He also received no votes cast against him his entire run]]]].
->'''27: ''Blood vs. Water''''' -- Palaui Island, Santa Ana, Cagayan, Philippines (Fall 2013). The 20 castaways this season are arranged in pairs, one returning castaway and one of their family members, with the returnees being the '''Galang''' tribe and the family being '''Tadhana''' (Filipino for "respect" and "destiny" respectively) before merging into '''Kasama''' (Filipino for [[MeaningfulName "together" or "as one"]]). Redemption Island also returns, with the new twist that a loved one can choose to take their partner's place on Redemption Island. Won by [[spoiler:[[DeadpanSnarker Tyson Apostol]] (from ''Tocantins'' and ''Heroes vs. Villains'') of Provo, Utah]].
->'''28: ''Cagayan''''' -- Palaui Island (Spring 2014). Features 18 players (all newcomers) evenly divided based on their principal attributes -- '''Aparri''' (Brawn), '''Luzon''' (Brains) and '''Solana''' (Beauty), named after a town at the mouth of the mighty Cagayan River, the largest island in the Philippines (on which both Manila, the capital, and Cagayan province are located), and a town at the southern end of Cagayan province, respectively. The tribes then merged into '''Solarrion''', a portmanteau of the former tribes. This season saw the introduction of a super-secret idol that could be played ''after'' votes were read. Won by [[spoiler:[[CardCarryingVillain Tony Vlachos]] of Jersey City, New Jersey]].
->'''29: ''San Juan del Sur - Blood vs. Water''''' -- San Juan del Sur (Fall 2014). Repeated the "Blood vs. Water" format, but with 18 all-new castaways. This season also brought back the Exile Island twist after a five-year absence. The castaways were divided into the '''Coyopa''' and '''Hunahpu''' tribes (named after the Mayan god of thunder and one of the Hero Twins of Mayan mythology, respectively) before merging into '''Huyopa''', a portmanteau of the former tribes. Won by [[spoiler:veteran ''Series/TheAmazingRace'' contestant Natalie Anderson of Edgewater, New Jersey after her [[AngstySurvivingTwin identical twin sister Nadiya was voted out first]]]].
->'''30: ''Worlds Apart''''' -- San Juan del Sur (Spring 2015). 18 new castaways, divided into three tribes by socioeconomic status: '''Escameca''' (blue collar), '''Masaya''' (white collar), and '''Nagarote''' (no collar); before merging into the '''Merica''' tribe (based on [[PatrioticFervor "America"]], partially playing on the previous tribes' colors: the No Collars wore ''red'', the ''White'' Collars (even though they wore yellow), and the ''Blue'' Collars). Won by [[spoiler:[[ByronicHero Mike Holloway]] of North Richland Hills, Texas]].

* The first ReunionShow. Being the first three-tribe season, the Immunity Idol was split into two. The season also reused last season's "kidnapping" system, and saw Saboga dissolve after losing one challenge, as well as another fake merge through tribe mix-up. The main storyline this season was the [[RomanceOnTheSet budding romance]] between [[RomanceOnTheSet Amber Brkich and "Boston" Rob Mariano]] (from ''Marquesas''), culminating in them [[spoiler:becoming the game's winner and runner-up, respectively]], and becoming engaged in the finale.

* [[MilestoneCelebration Celebrating the series' 10th anniversary]], the castaways are split, based on their previous strategies, between '''Heroes''' ([[{{Face}} players known for their integrity, courage and honor]]) and '''Villains''' ([[{{heel}} players known for their manipulation, deceptions and duplicity]]). Hidden Immunity Idols were also secreted onto each tribe's camps, and one challenge has both tribes vying for individual immunity, as both went to tribal council at the same time. Continuing from ''Samoa'', most of the camera time continued to be focused on Russell Hantz.

->'''21: ''Nicaragua''''' -- San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua (Fall 2010). 20 castaways are split by age between '''Espada''' (40 and older) and '''La Flor''' (30 and younger) before merging into '''Libertad''' (Spanish words for "sword", "flower" and "freedom", respectively). Besides Hidden Immunity Idols, teamwork-based challenges due to the age disparity, tribe swaps and double tribal councils, this season introduces the Medallion of Power, a one-shot item which gives winners advantages in challenges, then passed on to the opposing tribe. Won by [[spoiler:[[GeniusDitz Jud "Fabio" Birza]] of Saint Louis, Missouri]].
->'''22: ''Redemption Island''''' -- San Juan del Sur (Winter 2011). 18 castaways are split between '''Ometepe''' and '''Zapatera''' before merging into '''Murlonio''' (the first two are named after islands in Lake Nicaragua, the third after a stuffed toy of one of the castaways). The series introduces the eponymous "Redemption Island", where a recently-evicted castaway is left to fend for himself/herself in a lonely island. When another castaway is voted out, both would compete in a "duel" where the loser leaves the game for good, while the winner would stay on until some point when he/she is called back. The season was played up as a rivalry between returning castaways "Boston" Rob Mariano (''Marquesas'', ''All-Stars'', and ''Heroes vs. Villains'') and Russell Hantz (''Samoa'' and ''Heroes vs. Villains''), but Russell's tribe ditched him at the earliest opportunity and [[spoiler:Rob basically went unopposed for the rest of the season, [[BoringInvincibleHero taking the win without much of a fight]]]].
->'''23: ''South Pacific''''' -- Upolu (Fall 2011). 18 castaways are split between '''Upolu''' and '''Savaii''', each led by a returning castaway, before merging into '''Te Tuna''' (the first two are named after islands, the third after a Samoan legend about the birth of the coconut tree). Like the previous season, Redemption Island was also in play, as well as two Hidden Immunity Idols. Won by [[spoiler:[[IceQueen Sophie Clarke]] of Willsboro, New York]].
->'''24: ''One World''''' -- Upolu (Winter 2012). 18 castaways are split by gender between all-female '''Salani''' and all-male '''Manono''' before merging into '''Tikiano''' (the first two are named after islands in the area, and the third after a Samoan word for "year of the god"). In an unusual twist, both tribes shared a single camp for the majority of the season. The season also saw a "do-it-yourself" competition between tribes, as well as Hidden Immunity Idols and tribe swaps. Won by [[spoiler:[[IronLady Kim Spradlin]] of San Antonio, Texas]].
->'''25: ''Philippines''''' -- Caramoan, Camarines Sur, UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}} (Fall 2012). 18 players are split between '''Kalabaw''', '''Tandang''' and '''Matsing''' before merging into '''Dangrayne''' (the first three are named after Tagalog words for "water buffalo", "rooster" and "monkey", respectively, using the colors of the Philippine flag, and the fourth because [[PunnyName there was a lot of rain in the Philippines]]). The three tribes were "led" by [[MyGreatestSecondChance three returning castaways]] [[NonGameplayElimination evacuated from their last outings due to injury or stress]]: Jonathan Penner (''Cook Islands'' and ''Micronesia''), Michael Skupin (''Australia''), and Russell Swan (''Samoa''), respectively. Won by [[spoiler:[[ActionMom Denise Stapley]] of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after surviving through every single tribal council in the season]].

* '''Winner:''' [[spoiler:Amber Brkich of Beaver, Pennsylvania]]
* The first ReunionShow. Being the first three-tribe season, the Immunity Idol was split into two. The season also reused last season's "kidnapping" system, and saw Saboga dissolve after losing one challenge, as well as another fake merge through tribe mix-up. The main storyline this season was the [[RomanceOnTheSet budding romance]] between [[RomanceOnTheSet Amber Brkich (from ''Australia'') and "Boston" Rob Mariano (from ''Marquesas'')]], culminating in them [[spoiler:becoming the game's winner and runner-up, respectively]], and becoming engaged in the finale.

* '''Number of castaways:''' 19 (the only odd-number starting lineup in the series, due to one player dropping out at the last minute)* '''Starting tribes:''' Moto and Ravu, Fijian for "spear" and "kill", respectively

* '''Winner:''' [[spoiler:Todd Herzog]] of Salt Lake City, Utah]]

->'''16: ''Micronesia - Fans vs Favorites''''' -- Koror (Winter 2008). 20 castaways are split between '''Airai''' (composed of ten {{Ascended Fan|boy}}s) and '''Malakal''' (composed of ten [[MyGreatestSecondChance returning castaways]]) before merging into '''Dabu''' (the first two are named after locations in the area, and the third a made-up name by a castaway). The series featured individual Immunity Idols for each tribe which ensured one's immunity during his/her tribe's first tribal council. The Exile Island system is played again, except this time one from each tribe would compete for a Hidden Immunity Idol. The season is also notable for an even-numbered jury (eight) and the return of the two-person finalists. Jonathan Penner (returning from ''Cook Islands'') had to be evacuated due to a knee injury that turned into an infection. Probst would call it his second-favorite season, after ''[[FirstInstallmentWins Borneo]]''. Won by [[spoiler:[[TheVamp Parvati Shallow]] (from ''Cook Islands'') of Vero Beach, Florida]].
->'''17: ''Gabon - Earth's Last Eden''''' -- Wonga-Wongue Presidential Reserve, Estuaire Province, Gabon (Fall 2008). The first season to air on HD. 18 castaways are split between '''Fang''' and '''Kota''', drafted by the oldest male and female castaways, before merging into '''Nobag''' (the first two are named after [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beti-Pahuin_peoples actual]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kota_people tribes]] living in the area, and the third is [[SdrawkcabName "Gabon" reversed]]). The season retains last season's one-shot Immunity Idols, Exile Island (with the exile having to choose between luxury throughout his/her stay and immunity upon return), two tribe swaps, Hidden Immunity Idols for each tribe, and a double tribal council. Won by [[spoiler:[[BadassGrandpa Robert "Bob" Crowley]] of Augusta, Maine]].
->'''18: ''Tocantins - The Brazilian Highlands''''' -- Jalapão, Tocantins, Brazil (Winter 2009). 16 castaways are split between '''Jalapao''' and '''Timbira''' before merging into '''Forza''' (the first two are named after locations in the area, the third a corruption of "força", Portuguese word for "strength"). A first-impression vote by castaways "eliminated" two who would be a liability and thus "cannot make it into the journey", [[ExactWords only to realize that by "journey" Probst meant a four-hour trek, and those two "liabilities" were airlifted directly to their camps]]. The one-time Immunity Idols also make a return, as well as Exile Island, except this time the member of a losing tribe chosen by the winners [[TakingYouWithMe can also bring one of their own]]. This is generally the season where the show started embracing the CreatorsPet, this time being [[CloudCuckoolander Ben "Coach" Wade]]. Won by [[spoiler:[[FarmBoy James "J.T." Thomas, Jr.]] of Samson, Alabama, in another CurbStompBattle, 7-0, [[FlawlessVictory and without any vote cast against him throughout his stay]]]].
->'''19: ''Samoa''''' -- Upolu, Samoa (Fall 2009). 20 castaways are split between '''Foa Foa''' and '''Galu''' before merging into '''Aiga''' (all three are named after Samoan words for "trumpet shell", "ocean wave" and "[[TrueCompanions extended family]]", respectively). After some reward challenges, a member of the winning tribe will go to the losing tribe's camp, where he/she will tip one of them to a Hidden Immunity Idol. Double tribal councils were also held. In one of the most harrowing scenes in the series, Russell Swan nearly died in the middle of a challenge from dehydration and had to be evacuated. The game was dominated, gameplay-wise and screentime-wise, by [[EntitledBastard Russell Hantz]]; but was ultimately won by [[spoiler:[[SouthernBelle Natalie White]] of Van Buren, Arkansas]].
->'''20: ''Heroes vs Villains''''' -- Upolu (Winter 2010). [[MilestoneCelebration Celebrating the series' 10th anniversary]], 20 returning castaways are split, based on their previous strategies, between '''Heroes''' ([[{{Face}} players known for their integrity, courage and honor]]) and '''Villains''' ([[{{heel}} players known for their manipulation, deceptions and duplicity]]) before merging into '''Yin Yang'''. Hidden Immunity Idols were also secreted onto each tribe's camps, and one challenge has both tribes vying for individual immunity, as both went to tribal council at the same time. Continuing from ''Samoa'', most of the camera time continued to be focused on Russell Hantz. Won by [[spoiler:[[BornWinner Sandra Diaz-Twine]] (Villain from ''Pearl Islands''), becoming the first two-time winner of the series]].

* In tune to this season's theme of piracy (being set on a historic pirate den, and whose tribes' namesakes were branded by the Spanish as pirates), challenge winners can pillage the losing team's camp and, on one challenge, "kidnap" someone until the next challenge. The first six expelled players formed a third pre-merger tribe - the '''Outcasts''' - which defeated Drake and Morgan, forcing them both to expel one of their own while the Outcasts voted two [[BackFromTheDead back into the game]]. The jury also played in one challenge and won, depriving Balboa individual immunity. This was also the original season of two of [[BreakoutCharacter the show's most memorable players]]: Rupert Boneham and Jon Dalton aka "Jonny Fairplay".
!! ''08: All-Stars''''' (Winter 2004)

->'''11: ''Guatemala - The Mayan Empire''''' -- Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo National Park, Petén, Guatemala (Fall 2005). 18 castaways are split between '''Yaxhá''' and '''Nakúm''' before merging into '''Xhakúm''' (the first two are named after archaeological sites on the area and Mesoamerican words for "blue-green water" and "house of the pot", respectively, and the latter a portmanteau of both names). Two former contestants (both from the previous season) return for this season, and features a tribe swap and a double tribal council. This season also first saw the Hidden Immunity Idol, first played post-merger, which gives the person who finds it individual immunity. Won by [[spoiler:[[HotScoop Danni Boatwright]] of Tonganoxie, Kansas]].
->'''12: ''Panama - Exile Island''''' -- Pearl Islands (Winter 2006). 16 castaways are split between four tribes, for the first time in the series, by age and gender: '''Casaya''' (older women), '''La Mina''' (older men), '''Bayoneta''' (younger women) and '''Viveros''' (younger men) before merging into '''Gitanos''' (the first four are named after isles in the area, and the fifth a Spanish word for "gypsies"). The younger tribes would soon be disbanded and distributed among the older tribes. Using Season 10's "Exile Island" system, winners of reward challenges may choose to expel one from the losing tribe to a lonely island, where he/she is clued in to a hidden Immunity Idol. Won by [[spoiler:[[CloudCuckoolander Aras Baskauskas]] of Santa Monica, California]].
->'''13: ''Cook Islands''''' -- Aitutaki, Cook Islands (Fall 2006). 20 castaways are split by ethnicity -- a RatingsStunt that naturally caused some controversy -- between '''Aitutaki''' (Latinos), '''Manihiki''' (Africans), '''Puka Puka''' (Asians) and '''Rarotonga''' (Caucasians) before merging into '''Aitutonga''' (the first four are named after isles in the area, and the fifth a portmanteau of the two surviving tribes). The season reuses the Exile Island system, and features a tribe shuffle which dissolved Manihiki and Puka Puka, after which castaways were occasionally offered a chance to switch tribes (accepted by two castaways for the first time in the series), as well as one double tribal council. First season with three castaways to face the final jury. Won by [[spoiler:[[BadassBookworm Yul Kwon]] of San Mateo, California]].
->'''14: ''Fiji''''' -- Macuata Province, Fiji (Winter 2007). 19 castaways (the only odd-number starting lineup in the series, due to one player dropping out at the last minute) are split between '''Moto''' and '''Ravu''' before merging into '''Bula Bula''' (all three are named after Fijian words for "spear", "kill" [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and "hello hello"]], respectively). The first challenge alone rewarded Moto with a camp filled with many luxury items, while all Ravu had was a pot and a machete -- a disparity Probst himself would later admit to have been detrimental to Ravu's later outings. The season also reuses the tribe swap. Won by [[spoiler:[[DaChief Earl Cole]] of Santa Monica, California, in what was considered a CurbStompBattle, 9-0]].
->'''15: ''China''''' -- Zhelin Reservoir, Jiangxi, China (Fall 2007). 16 castaways are split between '''Fei Long''' and '''Zhan Hu''' before merging into '''Hae Da Fung''' (all three are named after Mandarin words for "Flying Dragon", "Fighting Tiger" and "Black Fighting Wind", respectively, the first two playing on the TigerVersusDragon trope and whose colors are more than likely patterned after those of the Chinese flag). The series was the first US show ever to be filmed within China. Like ''Pearl Islands'', the season had a specific theme, this time being the famous Chinese text ''Literature/TheArtOfWar''. Besides reusing the "kidnapping" system, the "kidnapped" member of a losing tribe would also be forced to give a message in a bottle to someone from the winning tribe cluing him/her in to the Hidden Immunity Idol. Won by [[spoiler:[[AscendedFanboy Todd Herzog]] of Salt Lake City, Utah]].

->'''06: ''The Amazon''''' -- Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil (Winter 2003). 16 castaways are split by gender, for the first time in the series, between all-female '''Jaburu''' and all-male '''Tambaqui''' before merging into '''Jacaré''' (the first two are named after a local stork and fish, respectively, and the third after a Portuguese word for "alligator"). On day 13, both tribes switch some members. Won by [[spoiler:[[AlphaBitch Jenna Morasca]] of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania]].
->'''07: ''Pearl Islands''''' -- Pearl Islands, Panamá Province, Panama (Summer 2003). 16 castaways are split between '''Drake''' and '''Morgan''' before merging into '''Balboa''' (the first two are named after British privateers [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Drake Sir Francis Drake]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Morgan Henry Morgan]], respectively, and the third after a snake one castaway found). In tune to this season's theme of piracy (being set on a historic pirate den, and whose tribes' namesakes were branded by the Spanish as pirates), challenge winners can pillage the losing team's camp and, on one challenge, "kidnap" someone until the next challenge. The first six expelled players formed a third pre-merger tribe - the '''Outcasts''' - which defeated Drake and Morgan, forcing them both to expel one of their own while the Outcasts voted two [[BackFromTheDead back into the game]]. The jury also played in one challenge and won, depriving Balboa individual immunity. This was also the original season of two of [[BreakoutCharacter the show's most memorable players]]: Rupert Boneham and Jon Dalton aka "Jonny Fairplay". Won by [[spoiler:[[SpicyLatina Sandra Diaz-Twine]] of Fort Lewis, Washington]].
->'''08: ''All-Stars''''' -- Pearl Islands (Winter 2004). The first ReunionShow. 18 castaways from earlier seasons are split between '''Chapera''', '''Mogo Mogo''' and '''Saboga''' before merging into '''Chaboga Mogo''' (the first three are named after isles in the area, and the fourth a portmanteau of the names). Being the first three-tribe season, the Immunity Idol was split into two. The season also reused last season's "kidnapping" system, and saw Saboga dissolve after losing one challenge, as well as another fake merge through tribe mix-up. The main storyline this season was the [[RomanceOnTheSet budding romance]] between [[RomanceOnTheSet Amber Brkich (from ''Australia'') and "Boston" Rob Mariano (from ''Marquesas'')]], culminating in them [[spoiler:becoming the game's winner and runner-up, respectively]], and becoming engaged in the finale.
->'''09: ''Vanuatu - Islands of Fire''''' -- Efate, Sheva Province, Vanuatu (Fall 2004). 18 castaways are gender-split between all-male '''Lopevi''' and all-female '''Yasur''' before merging into '''Alinta''' (the first two are named after volcanoes, and the third a made-up word for "people of fire"). For the first time, an individual immunity challenge was held before the merge, resulting in both tribes voting one member out in that episode. Like ''The Amazon'', this season also employed tribe swaps. Won by [[spoiler:[[TheOneGuy Chris Daugherty]] of South Vienna, Ohio]].
->'''10: ''Palau''''' -- Koror, Palau (Winter 2005). 20 castaways are split between '''Ulong''' and '''Koror''' (named after a dive site and the national capital, respectively). On day 2 alone, two were removed after they were not picked by the tribes. Last season's double tribal council system was also imposed. One challenge penalized the first to quit with being marooned on a lonely beach. It is also the only season so far where there was no tribe merger; thanks to the EpicFail of Ulong, by the time a merge would have happened there was [[LastOfHisKind only one Ulong left]] so she was just moved into Koror, starting the series' individual elimination stage. Won by [[spoiler:[[RetiredBadass Tom Westman]] of Sayville, New York]].

->'''01: ''Borneo''''' -- Pulau Tiga, Sabah, Malaysia (Summer 2000). [[{{Retronym}} Originally simply called "Survivor"]]. First season of the US series. 16 castaways are split between '''Pagong''' and '''Tagi''' before merging into '''Rattana''' (the initial tribes are named after local beaches, and the latter after rattan, a species of palm abundant in Borneo). It is also the only season where the winner was announced on-site. Among the season's memorable personalities, Richard Hatch had the most lasting impact, setting the tone of the game forever by getting the Tagi tribe to organize their votes against the Pagongs. Won by [[spoiler:[[ManipulativeBastard Richard Hatch]] of Middletown, Rhode Island]].
->'''02: ''The Australian Outback''''' -- Goshen Station, Queensland, Australia (Winter 2001). 16 castaways are split between '''Kucha''' and '''Ogakor''' before merging into '''Barramundi''' (all named after Aboriginal words for "kangaroo", "alligator" and an endemic species of fish, respectively). Lasting 42 days (the only season to do so), this season is infamous for the first forced evacuee: Michael Skupin, who burnt his hands on a bonfire. It's also well-known for Colby Donaldson's individual immunity challenge streak and the FoeYay between him and [[TokenEvilTeammate Jerri Manthey]]. First season to use previous votes as the method of breaking ties. Won by [[spoiler:[[ProperLady Tina Wesson]] of Knoxville, Tennessee]].
->'''03: ''Africa''''' -- Shaba National Reserve, Eastern Province, Kenya (Fall 2001). 16 castaways are split between '''Boran''' and '''Samburu''' before merging into '''Moto Maji''' (the first two are named after [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borana_Oromo_people actual]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samburu_people tribes]] living in the area, the third after a Swahili word for "fire and water"; tribe colors are interestingly patterned after the Ethiopian variant of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-African_colours Pan-African colors]]). First season to feature a tribe swap. Won by [[spoiler:[[NiceGuy Ethan Zohn]] of Lexington, Massachusetts]].
->'''04: ''Marquesas''''' -- Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia (Spring 2002). 16 castaways are split between '''Rotu''' and '''Maraamu''' before merging into '''Soliantu''' (the first two are named after Marquesan words for "wind" and "rain", respectively, and the latter a word made up by two castaways to mean "[[AwesomeMcCoolname sacred allegiance to the sun]]"). This season first saw a transferable Immunity Necklace, but also an infamous tiebreaker that evicted ''anyone'' who picked a purple rock -- in this case, Paschal English. The original season of [[BreakoutCharacter Rob Mariano, aka "Boston Rob"]]. Won by [[spoiler:[[TheFundamentalist Vecepia Towery]] of Portland, Oregon]].
->'''05: ''Thailand''''' -- Ko Tarutao, Satun Province, Thailand (Fall 2002). 16 castaways are split between '''Chuay Gahn''' and '''Sook Jai''', handpicked by the eldest male and female castaways, before merging into '''Chuay Jai''' (the first two are named after Thai words for "helping one another" and "happy heart", respectively, and the third is a portmanteau of both names). The season was the first to offer castaways a chance to switch tribes at will, and featured an auction and a merger fake-out through cohabitation. However, the host, Jeff Probst, also called it his least-liked season, having to deal with lots of {{jerkass}}es throughout its run. Won by [[spoiler:[[TheSociopath Brian Heidik]] of Quartz Hill, California]].