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The colonial territories of British North Borneo are shown in pink on this late 19th century map, with Brunei and Sarawak in green, and Dutch colonial territory in yellow. Sea routes around the British Empire are depicted on an inset map.

The colonial territories of British North Borneo are shown in pink on this late 19th century map, with Brunei and Sarawak in green, and Dutch colonial territory in yellow. Sea routes around the British Empire are depicted on an inset map.

Map highlighting areas of eastern Siam (Thailand) claimed by France. Notes describe Siam’s geography, government, population, military and trade (rice, teak, pepper, bullocks, fish, hides, tin, cardamom, tin), including trading partners by tonnage.

A late 19th century map of the town of Malacca and its surrounding area, including jungles, forests, mountains, rivers, roads, villages, tapioca estates and factories, and police stations. There is even a leper hospital on an island off the coast.

This navigation map of the mouth of the Kaladan River on the west coast of Arracan (modern Myanmar) features drawings of coastal features (elevations), bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs, landmarks, and notes on how to enter the river safely.

World map showing the distribution of plants, including in Southeast Asia (e.g. Areca catechu (betel tree), Calamus, Caryota urens, Altingia, Pinus Dammara (Amboina pine), P. sinensis). With data on plant growth in different temperature zones.

Map of important food crops (rice in Southeast Asia). Inset maps of tea, cassia, pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, sugar, coffee. With isothermal lines—lines joining locations of same temperature—of summer and winter temperatures, and plant drawings.

An early 19th century map of Singapore’s southern coast and islands, with bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs, anchor points, and notes to aid navigation. The roads and main buildings of Singapore city are also shown.

Map of the Batavia (Jakarta) Bay roadstead, a body of water sheltered from tides/currents, for ships to anchor. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are written notes, all to aid navigation.

Map of the Batavia (Jakarta) Bay roadstead, a body of water sheltered from tides/currents, for ships to anchor. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are written notes, all to aid navigation.

This mid-18th century map of Southeast Asia includes written notes on goods produced and traded, geographical features, and wild animals found in each part of the region.

This mid-18th century map of Southeast Asia includes written notes on goods produced and traded, geographical features, and wild animals found in each part of the region.