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

   LesothovsJapan

   Proximity to equator: 29.4° S vs 36.7° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Japan.

   Other category comparisons 1 other winning choice

   All eight categories for Lesotho against Japan

   Category	Lesotho	Japan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	30,355	377,915	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,311,472	124,516,650	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	2,880	52,726	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	76.1	329.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,482	3,776	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	29,751	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	29.4° S	36.7° N	Would win

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   TajikistanvsBurkina Faso

   Highest peak: 7,495 vs 749 m · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Burkina Faso.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Tajikistan against Burkina Faso

   Category	Tajikistan	Burkina Faso	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	144,100	274,200	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	10,389,799	23,025,776	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,968	2,762	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	72.1	84.0	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	7,495	749	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	38.3° N	12.8° N	Would lose

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   LebanonvsMaldives

   Density: 555.1 vs 1,765.1 per km² · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Lebanon.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Lebanon against Maldives

   Category	Lebanon	Maldives	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	10,400	298	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,773,493	525,994	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	12,585	24,807	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	555.1	1,765.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	3,088	5	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	225	644	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	34.2° N	3.3° N	Would lose