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Chart of the Singapore Strait, Riau Archipelago and Lingga Islands, marked with bathymetry (sea depth), side views of landmark mountains (elevations), written notes, and islands, shoals and reefs, all to aid navigation.

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.

Chart of the Singapore Strait, Riau Archipelago and Lingga Islands, marked with bathymetry (sea depth), side views of landmark mountains (elevations), written notes, and islands, shoals and reefs, all to aid navigation.

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.

Navigation chart of part of the South China Sea leading to the eastern entrance of the Singapore Strait. Features bathymetry (sea depth), anchor points, shoals and other obstructions, landmark hills, and detailed explanatory notes.

Navigation chart of part of the South China Sea leading to the eastern entrance of the Singapore Strait. Features bathymetry (sea depth), anchor points, shoals and other obstructions, landmark hills, and detailed explanatory notes.

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 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’.

Nautical charts, like this late 18th century example of the north-west coast of Borneo, were designed to help ships navigate. The numbers marked along the coastline and sea routes indicate the depth of the sea (bathymetry).

A late 18th century maritime map of Southeast Asia, marked with expedition routes including the return of Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour from Australia in 1770, and Captain Philip Carteret’s circumnavigation expedition in 1768.

A late 18th century map of maritime Southeast Asia by the French geographer Jacques Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772). The title refers to the ‘Stretto della Sonda’ (Sunda Strait), the strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java.