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On this map of India and Southeast Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers: British, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Danish.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting European colonial possessions. Unusually, the south coast of the Philippine island of Mindanao is shown twice, reflecting uncertainty about its true location. Names of indigenous peoples are listed on Borneo.

Map of Asia spread over nine sheets, for use in schools. Place names are not printed on the map itself, but are represented by initials and numbers (presumably, there is a legend that lists the names, but it is not present).

Map from Johannes Olivier’s book ‘Land- en Zeetogten in Nederland's Indie [Land and Sea Journeys in the Dutch Indies]’, showing European colonial possessions and indigenous kingdoms in Asia.

Map of Asia spread over nine sheets, for use in schools. Place names are not printed on the map itself, but are represented by initials and numbers (presumably, there is a legend that lists the names, but it is not present).

Map from Johannes Olivier’s book ‘Land- en Zeetogten in Nederland's Indie [Land and Sea Journeys in the Dutch Indies]’, showing European colonial possessions and indigenous kingdoms in Asia.

From ‘Thomson’s New General Atlas’, this mid-19th century map was based on an earlier map by the English cartographer John Cary. It highlights the mountain ranges and rivers of Southeast Asia, and also features many place names.

This map of the Burman Empire (Myanmar) features mountains, forests and rivers, as well as borders with Siam (Thailand) and Laos. Text notes how far up rivers boats can reach (‘Boats reach hither from the Sea’), ruby mines and rice fields.

This map of Asia is from the earliest version of ‘Stielers Handatlas’ by the German cartographers Adolf Stieler and Christian Gottlieb Reichard. The maps were initially published separately; later editions compiled them into book form.

This map of Asia is from the earliest version of ‘Stielers Handatlas’ by the German cartographers Adolf Stieler and Christian Gottlieb Reichard. The maps were initially published separately; later editions compiled them into book form.

This map of the Burman Empire (Myanmar) features mountains, forests and rivers, as well as borders with Siam (Thailand) and Laos. Text notes how far up rivers boats can reach (‘Boats reach hither from the Sea’), ruby mines and rice fields.

To aid navigation, this map shows small islands, shoals and reefs, maritime routes for use during monsoons or at particular times of the year, bathymetry (sea depth), past explorers’ routes, shipwrecks and text about monsoons, typhoons and currents.