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

   AngolavsLaos

   Proximity to equator: 13.2° S vs 19.6° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Laos.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Angola against Laos

   Category	Angola	Laos	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,246,700	236,800	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	36,749,906	7,664,993	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,550	9,299	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	29.5	32.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,620	2,817	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,600	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	13.2° S	19.6° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   IranvsJamaica

   Wealth per person: 18,933 vs 12,661 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Jamaica.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Iran against Jamaica

   Category	Iran	Jamaica	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,648,195	10,991	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	90,608,707	2,839,786	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	18,933	12,661	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	55.0	258.4	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5,625	2,256	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,440	1,022	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.1° N	18.1° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Won15 countries · 4 lives left

   MalivsIreland

   Proximity to equator: 18.6° N vs 53.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Ireland.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mali against Ireland

   Category	Mali	Ireland	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,240,192	70,273	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	23,769,127	5,311,538	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,178	133,440	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.2	75.6	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,155	1,041	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	1,448	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	18.6° N	53.1° N	Would win

4. 4
   Round 4Lost14 countries · 3 lives left

   PortugalvsTogo

   Density: 114.9 vs 144.8 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Portugal.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Portugal against Togo

   Category	Portugal	Togo	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	92,090	56,785	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,578,174	8,223,850	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	49,800	3,572	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	114.9	144.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,351	986	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	1,793	56	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	6	4	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	40.7° N	8.9° N	Would lose