Map of Europe in 1500
In 1500 CE the atlas maps 38 states and empires with territory in Europe. The largest by mapped territory was Kalmar Union, at about 1.29M km², followed by House of Jagiellon. The map below is set to 1500 CE; the table lists every state shown, with the modern countries its borders covered.
- States Mapped
- 38
- Largest
- 1.29M km²
- Modern Countries Covered
- 54
- Longest Established
- 705–1500 CE
Map of Europe in 1500 CE
Borders are drawn for 1500 CE. Drag the timeline to move to another year.
The Major Powers of 1500 CE
Kalmar Union
1402–1525 CEThe Kalmar Union was a personal union in Scandinavia, agreed at Kalmar in Sweden as designed by Queen Margaret I of Denmark. From 1397 to 1523, it joined under a single monarch the three kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, together with Norway's maritime colonies.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 1.29M km²
House of Jagiellon
1450–1571 CEThe Jagiellonian dynasty, also known as the House of Jagiellon or simply the Jagiellons, was a Polish cadet branch of the Lithuanian ducal dynasty of Gediminids. The Jagiellons reigned in several European countries between the 14th and 16th centuries.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 1.02M km²
The Ottoman Empire
1305–1923 CEThe Ottoman Empire, also known historically as Turkey or the Turkish Empire, was a state that spanned much of Southeastern Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th century to the early 20th century, centred in modern-day Turkey. It also controlled parts of southeastern Central Europe between the early 16th and early 18th centuries.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 930,613 km²
Golden Horde
1294–1695 CEThe Golden Horde, or Ulus of Jochi, self-designated as Ulug Ulus, was originally a Mongol and later Turkicized khanate established in the 13th century, originating from the northwestern part of the Mongol Empire. After the division of the empire in 1259, it became a functionally independent khanate.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 550,524 km²
Kingdom of France
990–1791 CEThe Kingdom of France is the historiographical name or umbrella term given to various political entities of France in the medieval and early modern period. It was one of the most powerful states in Europe from the High Middle Ages to 1848 during its dissolution.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 467,711 km²
The Holy Roman Empire
922–1806 CEThe Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation after 1512, was a polity comprising and controlling much of Central Europe and Western Europe, headed by the Holy Roman Emperor and characterized by a decentralized political structure. It developed in the Early Middle Ages, and lasted for a millennium until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 344,060 km²
Descriptions are the opening of each state's Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
States and Empires in 1500 CE
38 mapped, largest territory first. Dates are the span of each state's mapped borders.
1500 CE by Region
1500 CE: Quick Answers
- What empires and states existed in Europe in 1500 CE?
- The atlas maps 38 states in Europe in 1500 CE. The largest by mapped territory were Kalmar Union, House of Jagiellon, The Ottoman Empire, Golden Horde, Kingdom of France, Crown of Castile.
- What was the largest empire in Europe in 1500 CE?
- Kalmar Union had the largest mapped territory among states present in Europe in 1500 CE, about 1.29M km², followed by House of Jagiellon (1.02M km²). Areas are measured from the mapped borders and are approximate.
- What did the map of Europe look like in 1500?
- In 1500 CE the map of Europe was divided between 38 mapped states and empires. Kalmar Union held the largest territory, followed by House of Jagiellon. Their borders covered parts of 54 present-day countries.
- How many states are shown on the map for 1500 CE?
- 38. The map shows the states recorded in the atlas's dated border dataset for that year; states and peoples absent from that dataset are not shown.