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The colonial territories of British North Borneo are shown in pink on this late 19th century map, with Brunei and Sarawak in green, and Dutch colonial territory in yellow. Sea routes around the British Empire are depicted on an inset map.

The colonial territories of British North Borneo are shown in pink on this late 19th century map, with Brunei and Sarawak in green, and Dutch colonial territory in yellow. Sea routes around the British Empire are depicted on an inset map.

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), tide information, shipwrecks, compass roses and landmark mountains at the coasts.

Map of the Strait of Malacca, with inset maps of a central part of the strait and of the Singapore Strait. Bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs are marked, and there are elevations (side views of hills and mountains to use as landmarks).

Chart of the north coast of Java, featuring a rhumbline network—a web of lines to help plot routes—bathymetry (sea depth), shoals, reefs and side views of landmark mountains (elevations), all to aid navigation. With an inset map of nearby islands.

Chart of the north coast of Java, featuring a rhumbline network—a web of lines to help plot routes—bathymetry (sea depth), shoals, reefs and side views of landmark mountains (elevations), all to aid navigation. With an inset map of nearby islands.

Navigation chart of the Sunda Strait, with sea depth, anchor points, shoals and other obstructions. Includes many bays, with four highlighted on inset maps. Partly based on writings of Captain Krusenstern whose 1806 route through the strait is shown.

Navigation chart of the Sunda Strait, with sea depth, anchor points, shoals and other obstructions. Includes many bays, with four highlighted on inset maps. Partly based on writings of Captain Krusenstern whose 1806 route through the strait is shown.

A late 18th century maritime navigation map of the straits east of Java, with drawings of the elevations of the straits. The map is also marked with routes of explorers, including the return of Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour from Australia in 1770.

A late 18th century map of Asia published in London by John Bowles, with regions indicated by colour. Central Borneo is labelled ‘Part inhabited by the Biayos’, which is seen on many contemporary maps, often with the comment ‘a savage people’.

Navigation chart of the Sunda Strait, showing bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs, landmarks, and a rhumbline network. Notes record good anchorages, sources of water and supplies etc. Inset map of the Zutphen Islands off the coast of Sumatra.

A late 18th century navigation map of the waters between the islands of Java, Madura and Bali. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there is an inset map of the Bay of Ballambouang, Java.