On which continent did imperial European states begin widespread colonization in the 19th century?

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During the 19th century, imperial Europe turned its attention to Africa, where several empires began widespread colonization efforts. The United States issued the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, claiming jurisdiction over the entire Western Hemisphere, thus prohibiting European countries from claiming any more territory in that part of the world. By the 1870s, as Europe's most powerful nations looked to expand their empires, a "Scramble for Africa" was underway. Only 10 percent of Africa had been claimed prior to that time. Though some European powers asserted themselves in Asia, they mostly attempted to establish profitable trade relationships there instead of colonizing (there were exceptions, however). Australia and the Pacific islands were too small and distant to warrant considerable attempts to exploit them; England chose to just use Australia as a penal colony. (And South America is in the Western Hemisphere.)

On Which Continent Did Imperial European States Begin Widespread Colonization