"A place in the sun" is a term which commonly refers to the 19th century European colonial empires and their possessions. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... World map showing Europe Europe is one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Colonialism. ... See also colonialism Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisition and/or maintenance of empires. ...

Most European powers struggled to get their "place in the sun" by intensely sending expeditions and colonizing uncivilized continents, mainly Africa and Asia. By claiming colonies, European nations were able to prestigiate themselves for having "overseas empires". Africa is the worlds second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. ... World map showing the location of Asia. ...

The term itself appeared due to the habit that the European citizens had to go on holidays to the sunny, Southern Hemisphere colonies. The overseas territories not only granted prestige but also good sources of income, as touristic destinations and through exploration of their natural resources. Southern Hemisphere The Southern Hemisphere is the half of a planets surface (or celestial sphere) that is south of the equator (the word hemisphere literally means half ball). On Earth it contains five continents (Antarctica, Australia, most of South America, parts of Africa, and Asia) as well as four...

List of Colonial Empires and notable possessions in the Age of Imperialism:

• United Kingdom, which controlled most of eastern Africa, from Egypt to South Africa, as well as (at one time or another), modern India and Pakistan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), numerous Caribbean islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda, Singapore, Hong Kong, Gibraltar and many other city-states, much of Indonesia and New Guinea, and countless islands in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire.
• France, controlled most of northern and western Africa, and Indochina.
• Germany, had some colonies in nowadays Namibia, Togo, Tanzania and Cameroon. They were handed to the United Kingdom in the armistice of the Great War.
• Portugal controlled Angola, Mozambique, Portuguese Guinea, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe in Africa, and in Asia ruled over Goa, Daman, Diu and Nagar-Haveli in India, Macau in China and the eastern half of the island of Timor on the Malay archipelago.
• Spain ruled over Western Sahara, Equatorial Guinea, and Morocco, the latter divided with France
• Italy established control over Libya and most of Somalia.
• The Netherlands, in addition to today's Dutch West Indies also controlled Indonesia and Suriname.
• The United States of America, after its victory in the Spanish-American War acquired Guam, Puerto Rico, and The Philippines.