b'This is the Sultanate of Oman (the Omani empire) in the early 19th century. Again it is scattered.The last map is much more familiar - the British Empire. Note that the possessions are not remotely contiguous. Table 82 Historical holdings of the British EmpireSource: Wikimedia CommonsThe characteristic all have in common isThere is no reason in the 21st centuryif that their territories are not contiguous, notthere ever wasfor the UK to be in a political adjacent, not next door, but rather linked byunion simply because the other members of trade and the communication of the era, thethat union are geographic neighbours. seas and sea-going ships. Physical proximity is not destiny. To trade, In the 21st century we benefit from aand trade successfully and profitably, there communications revolution. Oneis no requirement for the UK to be part of an consequence of that revolution is what anartificial, political construct.author has called the Death of Distance.30173'