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Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

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.

A map of a small island chain off the west coast of the island of Gilola (modern Halmahera in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia). The military forts on the islands were used by the European colonial powers during conflicts over the area’s spice trade.

French text on the reverse of this map of the eastern Sunda Islands describes the city of Macassar (modern Makassar) on Celebes (Sulawesi, Indonesia). Details include the city’s port, trade and crops, as well as its people and religion.

Unusually, north is located to the right of this early 17th century map of the Maluku Islands, rather than the top. The scale is shown on a stone monument. French text on the reverse describes Java.