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A Spanish military map of the northern Philippine island of Luzon, highlighting cable and telegraph lines, and aids to maritime navigation such as bathymetry (sea depth) and tide data. A conversion table for metres, fathoms and feet is also shown.

Two maritime routes—for use during the North-east and ‘fair’ monsoons—are shown on this late 19th century navigation map. The routes lead north through Southeast Asia, passing the Philippines, and ending in Hong Kong. Bathymetry (sea depth) is shown.

Designed to aid navigation around the western Java Sea, this map features bathymetry (sea depth), current and tide data, and is marked with shoals, reefs and other hazards. Written notes add details at specific locations (e.g. ‘heavy tide rips’).

Map of Borneo—with insets of Southeast Asia, Sarawak and Labuan—featuring temperature data, volcanoes, English colonial territory, products of Borneo, geology (rock types), bathymetry (sea depth) and elevations (side views of mountains with heights).

Based on surveys by Sir Stamford Raffles, this German map of Sumatra focuses on the navigation of coasts and straits, with bathymetry (sea depth), anchor points, shoals and reefs marked, including on inset maps of Singapore and the Bangka Strait.

This map of the Straits of Malacca features shoals and reefs, bathymetry (sea depth), drawings of side views of landmark mountains (elevations) and written observations, all designed to aid navigation. Pencil marks indicate the map was actually used.

This map of the Straits of Malacca features shoals and reefs, bathymetry (sea depth), drawings of side views of landmark mountains (elevations) and written observations, all designed to aid navigation.

A map to aid in the navigation of the rivers leading to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). Details include bathymetry (water depth), currents, and a side view (or ‘elevation’) of hills to use as a landmark. Tides are described in written remarks.

This early 19th century hand-drawn map of Manila Bay has detailed instructions in Spanish on how to enter the bay, and the port at Cavite. Bathymetry (water depth), the mouths of rivers, and landmark mountains are shown to aid navigation.

A map of Java with mountains, jungles, animals and crops. Bathymetry (sea depth) is marked, including on an inset map of Batavia harbour. Illustrations include Batavia Castle, and a lion—representing Belgium—receiving tribute and enslaving locals.