A little knowledge. An empire of 13.

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

   MoldovavsLaos

   Wealth per person: 17,751 vs 9,299 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Laos.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Moldova against Laos

   Category	Moldova	Laos	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	33,851	236,800	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,457,783	7,664,993	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	17,751	9,299	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	72.6	32.4	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	430	2,817	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	9	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	47.5° N	19.6° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   MongoliavsSouth Sudan

   Area: 1,564,116 vs 644,329 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered South Sudan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Mongolia against South Sudan

   Category	Mongolia	South Sudan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	1,564,116	644,329	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	3,481,145	11,483,374	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑South Sudan: World Bank has no 2023 figure for South Sudan.	18,020	Unavailable	Unavailable
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	2.2	17.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,374	3,187	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	6	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	46.0° N	7.1° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   NicaraguavsMexico

   Density: 52.3 vs 66.0 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Nicaragua.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Nicaragua against Mexico

   Category	Nicaragua	Mexico	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	130,370	1,964,375	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	6,823,613	129,739,759	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	8,327	25,188	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	52.3	66.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,085	5,636	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	910	9,330	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	10	11	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	12.6° N	23.5° N	Would win