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On this late 17th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson, mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘PresquIsle de la le Gange [Peninsula of the Ganges]’.

On this late 17th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson, mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘PresquIsle de la le Gange [Peninsula of the Ganges]’.

Early Latin map of Asia, with some inaccuracies: only a small part of Java (labelled ‘Iava Major’) is shown, the shape of Celebes (Sulawesi) is much simplified, and New Guinea is enlarged and distorted.

This 17th century map features a number of mythical lakes once thought to exist in southern China. One of these lakes (‘Chiamai Lac’) feeds three rivers—labelled ‘Menan’, ‘Manthabam’ and ‘Cosmin’—which flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.

On this early 17th century map of maritime Southeast Asia, the southern coast of Java ('Iava Maior') is represented by a dotted line, indicating that the exact coastline was unknown at this time.

Early Latin map of Asia, with some inaccuracies: only a small part of Java (labelled ‘Iava Major’) is shown, the shape of Celebes (Sulawesi) is much simplified, and New Guinea is enlarged and distorted.

This 17th century map features a number of mythical lakes once thought to exist in southern China. One of these lakes (‘Chiamai Lac’) feeds three rivers—labelled ‘Menan’, ‘Manthabam’ and ‘Cosmin’—which flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.

On this early 17th century map of maritime Southeast Asia, the southern coast of Java ('Iava Maior') is represented by a dotted line, indicating that the exact coastline was unknown at this time.

This map is illustrated with drawings of Asian people wearing traditional clothing, including representatives of Sumatra, Java and the Maluku Islands. There are also drawings of important ports such as Bantam (Banten) at the western end of Java.

Originally published in Gerardus Mercator's ‘Atlas Sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figura’ (1595), the title of which was the first use of the word ‘atlas’ to refer to a collection of maps. This is a 1630 reprint.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.