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'"A place in the sun"' is a term which commonly refers to the 19th century European colonial empires and their possessions.
Most European powers struggled to get their "place in the sun" by sending military expeditions and colonizing other continents —mainly in Africa and Asia. By claiming colonies, European nations were able to prestigiate themselves for having "overseas empires," as well as profiting from the material resources the lands provided.
The overseas territories not only granted prestige but also good sources of income, as touristic destinations and through exploitation of their natural resources.

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

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, Bangladesh, 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, Indochina, and French Polynesia.

★ 'Germany', had some colonies in modern day Namibia, Togo, Tanzania and Cameroon and controlled German New Guinea, along with some Pacific islands. They were handed to the United Kingdom and Japan in the armistice of World War I.

★ '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 Eritrea, 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.