Epic time-elapse map of Europe from A.D. 1000 to 2003 [updated]

Update: The videos described below have been removed from YouTube. Apparently the person who put them there did so in violation of copyright law. Trust me, the videos were really good.

You can still obtain them from the Historical Atlas web site, and even view a short promotional video that shows off the features. Fascinating stuff. If you wish to purchase this, you may do so through the web site.

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Want to condense a millennium of European history into 3 minutes? Look at this fascinating YouTube video map of Europe. Changing European borders are nothing new. My biggest surprise from this video was in fact how frequently they moved around.

You can also view an 11-minute version that shows the specific years running by in the top left corner. This is something like a kicked-up sequel to the Roman Empire in 75 seconds map I posted a few months ago. This new map even comes with a soundtrack.

You may observe the following in the video:

• The weakening of, revival of, and eventual collapse of the Byzantine (eastern Roman) Empire leading up to 1453. Their borders were restricted to the immediate area around the city of Constantinople during their last decades.
• The “countries” of Germany and Italy were a collection of assorted polities until recent times.
• The gradual “reconquista” of Spain from the Muslims in the first four centuries of this video.
• Great Britain’s political relationship with Ireland over the centuries.
• Eastern Europe’s domination by outside powers for most of the past 1,000 years. Compare with the relative stability of Great Britain and France over the same time period.
• It’s been said the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, Roman, nor an empire. This map shows the political nature of this confederation. Lots of local power brokers in that feudal entity.
• The post-World War II period, specifically 1950 – 1990, seems to have been the most stable period for Europe since the Roman Empire.

There is so much more to see than this. What stands out most to you?