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

   ChinavsSierra Leone

   Area: 9,596,960 vs 71,740 km² · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Sierra Leone.

   Other category comparisons 5 other winning choices

   All eight categories for China against Sierra Leone

   Category	China	Sierra Leone	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	9,596,960	71,740	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	1,410,710,000	8,460,512	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	25,200	3,371	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	147.0	117.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	8,849	1,948	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	14,500	402	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	2	3	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	32.5° N	8.7° N	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   RwandavsIran

   Proximity to equator: 1.8° S vs 32.1° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Iran.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Rwanda against Iran

   Category	Rwanda	Iran	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	26,338	1,648,195	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	13,954,471	90,608,707	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,519	18,933	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	529.8	55.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,519	5,625	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	2,440	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	1.8° S	32.1° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   LaosvsUzbekistan

   Population: 7,664,993 vs 35,652,307 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Laos.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Laos against Uzbekistan

   Category	Laos	Uzbekistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	236,800	447,400	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,664,993	35,652,307	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	9,299	11,679	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	32.4	79.7	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,817	4,643	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.6° N	41.5° N	Would win