YouTube user harrunostasj has created a fascinating look at European history in fast forward using the Centennia Historical Atlas. The mapping software is a "dynamic, animated historical atlas including over 9,000 border changes," tracing the rise and fall of empires from 1,000 C.E. onward. Make sure to watch the video full screen in HD to see the year in the top left corner and notes on historic events in the bottom left corner (and turn up the volume to appreciate the dramatic soundtrack from Inception). 

To see the same 1,000-span fly by in just over three minutes, watch the earlier version below. 

For more information about Centennia, visit http://www.clockwk.com/centennia.html. For more video from harrunostasj, go to the YouTube channel. 

Via Walkie Talkies. 

Update: Due to copyright infringement, the videos have been removed from YouTube. However, Centennia has made a similar video available: