Most agree the British Empire lasted for almost 400 years - fom the 16th century until the late 20th century. However, the Roman Empire last for nearly 1,500 years - from 27 BCE to 1453 CE.

The British Empire peaked 100 ... dishes from around the world. A map of countries where an overseas volunteer organisation operates is—what else?—a throwback to the British Empire’s pink map.

The adage about the sun never setting on the empire took root in the 19th century as the British empire gained new territories ... It had the world’s largest population and had just fielded an army of ...

At the outset of the First World War, the British Empire comprised 400 million people and its territorial arsenal was so vast that the sun never set on it. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT ...

“The sun never sets on the British empire.” Variations on the phrase have been used for more than 200 years to describe the scope and power of the nation and its occupied territories.

London has been described as a city built on the spoils of empire, prompting visitors, at least over a damp weekend in March, to wonder why more of these spoils weren’t spent on proper indoor heating.

But by the early 19th century, the British Empire had mutated into the world's first liberal empire. In the subsequent century, this empire clearly was a force for good in at least two respects.