I think it's ocean currents
Answer:
Over time, the empire expanded beyond India's frontiers to the west, into the Arabian Persian Gulf and a swathe of territories across East Africa; to the east, into Burma, Malaya, North Borneo, the Straits Settlements, Hong Kong, treaty ports in China notably Shanghai and, eventually, a naval base at Wei-hei-Wei
I think it's A. an examination of the social contexts in which people live.
