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

   United StatesvsMadagascar

   Population: 336,755,052 vs 31,195,932 people · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Madagascar.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United States against Madagascar

   Category	United States	Madagascar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	9,833,517	587,041	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	336,755,052	31,195,932	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	82,587	1,810	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	34.2	53.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	6,190	2,876	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	19,924	4,828	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	39.1° N	18.4° S	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won14 countries · 4 lives left

   GabonvsIraq

   Proximity to equator: 0.6° S vs 33.3° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Iraq.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Gabon against Iraq

   Category	Gabon	Iraq	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	267,667	438,317	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	2,484,789	45,074,049	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	20,773	14,665	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	9.3	102.8	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,050	3,611	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	885	58	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	4	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	0.6° S	33.3° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Lost13 countries · 3 lives left

   MauritaniavsCentral African Republic

   Population: 5,022,441 vs 5,152,421 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Mauritania.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mauritania against Central African Republic

   Category	Mauritania	Central African Republic	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,030,700	622,984	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	5,022,441	5,152,421	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	6,972	1,258	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	4.9	8.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	915	1,410	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	754	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	19.4° N	7.0° N	Would lose