What could've been... Africa

In 1885, during Berlin Conference, the European countries distribute African countries between them. They didn't care about their government or even language, forcing the Africans in their respective countries to learn their new language. It created a new era for Europe: the new imperialism. 

By 1913, all the African countries had an "owner" except Liberia and Ethiopia. 

Africa's distribution was the first cause of German's nonconformity, which eventually leaded to the First World War.

Nowadays Africa is the poorest continent in the world, with Nigeria as the poorest country in the world. The richest country in Africa, Equatorial Guinea, has two thirds of its population in extreme poverty.