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Map of the northern Malacca Strait—between Sumatra and Malaya—with shoals and reefs marked, some labelled as ‘dangerous’. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation.

Map of the northern Malacca Strait—between Sumatra and Malaya—with shoals and reefs marked, some labelled as ‘dangerous’. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation.

New Guinea is shown connected to Australia (‘Nouvelle Hollande’) on this mid-18th century map. The title’s ‘Terres Australes’ means ‘southern lands’ indicating how Australia was named. The text is in French, with the title also in Dutch at the base.

The note in French at the top left of this map states that although the map is accurate, the names of many small islands have been omitted to avoid confusion, and that more details will come later.

This elaborately illustrated map of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans includes the eastern islands of Southeast Asia. The routes of five expeditions west across the Pacific are marked, including that of Ferdinand Magellan to the Philippines in 1520.

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

This early 18th century map of Southeast Asia includes a list detailing the location (latitude and longitude) of seven important cities in the region: Batavia, Achem, Camboya, Siam, Borneo, Macaçar and Manilla.

This early 18th century map of Southeast Asia includes a list detailing the location (latitude and longitude) of seven important cities in the region: Batavia, Achem, Camboya, Siam, Borneo, Macaçar and Manilla.

The southern coast of Java ('Iava Maior') on this map is represented by a dotted line, indicating that the exact coastline was unknown at this time. French text on the reverse describes the geography, crops, animals etc. of the Maluku Islands.