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Map of the coast of Selangor on the west of the Malay Peninsula. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are drawings of the side views of mountains (elevations), all 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.

This mid-18th century maritime map charts the seas between Peninsula Malaysia and Sumatra, including Singapore—named ‘Po. Panjang’—with the old and new Straits of Singapore marked. The numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry).

This mid-18th century map features labels noting the local populations, including the Kemois of the mountains and deserts of Cochinchinae (Vietnam) and the Byayos of Borneo. The map’s cartouche is embellished with maritime and military paraphernalia.

Map featuring the ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia. The cartouche is embellished with maritime and military paraphernalia. The map is dedicated to William IV, Prince of Orange (Guillaume Charles Henry Friso). Sheet one of two.

Map featuring the ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia. The cartouche is embellished with maritime and military paraphernalia. The map is dedicated to William IV, Prince of Orange (Guillaume Charles Henry Friso). Sheet one of two.

This mid-18th century map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain.

This map features eight expedition routes across the South China Sea from 1752 to 1763. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, and bathymetry (sea depth) is marked. The place names are in French, but with an English title and notes.

Map of the Indian Ocean dominated by a rhumbline network—a web of interconnected lines used to help plot routes—with a compass rose at the centre. At the top there are (incomplete) drawings of people with text in Dutch, French, English and Spanish.

Colourful map of the East Indies focusing on maritime navigation: there is a compass rose at the centre of a rhumbline network (a web of lines to help plot routes). Shoals, reefs and islands are also marked.

Colourful map of the East Indies focusing on maritime navigation: there is a compass rose at the centre of a rhumbline network (a web of lines to help plot routes). Shoals, reefs and islands are also marked.

A map by the influential London cartographer, Herman Moll (1654?—1732), showing Southeast Asia in the context of the wider Asian region. Interestingly, the Strait of Malacca is labelled as the ‘Str. of Sincapora’ (Straits of Singapore).