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Map of the Asian colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), with an inset of the heights of some of the region’s mountains. A note describes the average temperature, barometer reading and magnetic declination in Batavia at the time.

Map of the Asian colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), with an inset of the heights of some of the region’s mountains. A note describes the average temperature, barometer reading and magnetic declination in Batavia at the time.

Map of the Asian colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), with an inset of the heights of some of the region’s mountains. A note describes the average temperature, barometer reading and magnetic declination in Batavia at the time.

Map of the Asian colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), with an inset of the heights of some of the region’s mountains. A note describes the average temperature, barometer reading and magnetic declination in Batavia at the time.

Map of the Asian colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), with an inset of the heights of some of the region’s mountains. A note describes the average temperature, barometer reading and magnetic declination in Batavia at the time.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

The title of this mid-18th century map translates as ‘Asia following the latest observations of the Muscovites/Russians’. Written notes in French list the regions, islands, empires, kingdoms, colonial possessions, religions and languages of Asia.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

Text on this map notes that Sumatra is divided into two equal parts by the Equator, so that the days and nights are always the same length. It also notes that Java is ruled by the Dutch, though the Mataram Sultanate in central Java is also mentioned.