Question

In “recessional” by rudyard Kipling, what does the phrase “palm” and “pine” say about the British empire?

Answer 1

Its boundaries were expansive, including countries in arctic and tropical climates.

Answer 2

The correct answer is:

Its boundaries were expansive, including countries in arctic and tropical climates.

"God of our fathers, known of old

Lord of our far-flung battle-line

Beneath whose awful Hand we hold

Dominion over palm and pine"

In this sentence "Dominion over palm and pine"  they make reference to the British empire expansion, where they included arctic countries and troplical climates.