The empire described as "the empire on which the sun never sets" was the British Empire. This phrase highlighted the vast territorial extent of the empire during its height in the 19th and early 20th centuries, where British colonies spanned continents and time zones. The empire included territories in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, ensuring that at any given time, the sun was shining on at least one of its territories. This dominance played a significant role in the spread of British culture, language, and politics worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on global history and relations.