Map of Europe in 1000 A.D.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In 1000 AD, the world population is evaluated to have been about 280 million, while in Europe only 56 million, which is a little less than the population of all of modern Italy!

In world history, the year 1000 AD belongs to the Middle Ages. In the European continent, this year is sometimes believed the border date between the Early Middle Ages and the High Middle Ages.

Poland had taken over Pomerania in the north, giving it borders not unlike nowadays. The Holy Roman Empire had integrated the northern parts of Italy in 996. Bohemia and Moravia (modern Czechia) united in 1000.

As an independent country, Norway, shown on these maps, later became part of Denmark in 1000. Most of Spain was ruled by the Caliph of Cordoba. Some international borders were not as distinctly defined as they are nowadays. This applied mainly in the northeast of Europe, which was predominantly tribal at this time. Relationships between states were also very diverse. For instance, although nominally owing allegiance to the French king, some regions of France operated as basically independent kingdoms. Other nations were just nominally sovereign (Burgundy owed loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire).

The Muslim world stood in its Golden Age. Although most of Spain and Portugal were under Islamic rule, Christianity was well set in Western Europe by the year 1000, but around this time, it extended rapidly to the north and east.

For example, in these times, Hungary and Scandinavia converted to Christianity.