Search

From Robert Morden’s ‘Geography Rectified’, a description with maps of the known world in the late 17th century. The map shows the Moluccas, but the text describes the Philippines: Spanish colonial rule, trade, the city of Manila and port of Cavite.

This early 19th century map is from a book titled ‘Mr. John Nieuhoff's Voyages’ in which the author reports on his travels to Southeast Asia, including a detailed description of the important port city of Batavia, as shown on the map.

Map of the Indian Ocean showing the currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented with letters A to G) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes from the Isle de France (Mauritius) around the Indian Ocean are shown.

Map of the Indian Ocean showing the currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented with letters A to G) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes from the Isle de France (Mauritius) around the Indian Ocean are shown.

Map of the Indian Ocean showing the currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented with letters A to G) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes from the Isle de France (Mauritius) around the Indian Ocean are shown.

Map of the Indian Ocean showing the currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented with letters A to F) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes—one old and two new—from the Isle de France (Mauritius) east to the Strait of Malacca are shown.

Map of the Indian Ocean showing the currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented with letters A to F) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes—one old and two new—from the Isle de France (Mauritius) east to the Strait of Malacca are shown.

Maritime routes had to be adjusted in response to the changing monsoon seasons, as is seen on this late 18th century map of the Indian Ocean. Drawings of the heads of children blowing—called ‘wind-heads’—are used to indicate wind direction.

Two maps of the Indian Ocean showing currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented by letters A to F) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes—one old and two new—from the Isle de France (Mauritius) east to the Strait of Malacca are shown.

Map of the Batavia (Jakarta) and Bantam (Bantem) roadsteads (a body of water sheltered from tides/currents, for ships to anchor). Shoals, reefs and bathymetry (sea depth) are marked, with explanatory notes and a rhumbline network to aid navigation.

Navigation chart of the Sunda Strait, showing bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs, landmarks, and a rhumbline network. Notes record good anchorages, sources of water and supplies etc. Inset map of the Zutphen Islands off the coast of Sumatra.

Made for ‘A History of Java’ by Sir Stamford Raffles, this map includes a list of administrative districts with their populations, and four inset maps of harbours. Another inset map shows rocks and minerals, mountains and volcanoes, and teak forests.