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A simple hand-coloured map of Asia, with a cartouche of shell, leaves and plants. It shows that in the late 18th century, the details of New Guinea and Australia (‘Nieuw Holland’) were uncertain.

A simple hand-coloured map of Asia, with a cartouche of shell, leaves and plants. It shows that in the late 18th century, the details of New Guinea and Australia (‘Nieuw Holland’) were uncertain.

The arrows on this map mark the direction of the seasonal monsoons experienced in the South China Sea and Philippine Sea during the late 18th century. Each arrow has a label indicating the month.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: New Guinea is described as unknown to Europeans; Borneo was abandoned by Europeans due to the ‘unmanageability’ of the inhabitants; the Philippines were discovered by Spain in 1565.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: New Guinea is described as unknown to Europeans; Borneo was abandoned by Europeans due to the ‘unmanageability’ of the inhabitants; the Philippines were discovered by Spain in 1565.

Map of Asia featuring an early—and very vague—depiction of New Britain (‘Nieuw Brittanje’) which was named by the British explorer William Dampier when he visited in 1700. The ‘Straat van Dampier’ is also shown, dividing New Britain from New Guinea.

Map of Asia featuring an early—and very vague—depiction of New Britain (‘Nieuw Brittanje’) which was named by the British explorer William Dampier when he visited in 1700. The ‘Straat van Dampier’ is also shown, dividing New Britain from New Guinea.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: Sumatra is described as having mines of gold, silver, iron, and sulphur; and elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, dragons and crocodiles. Gilolo has rice, sago and turtles. Ambon has nutmeg.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: Sumatra is described as having mines of gold, silver, iron, and sulphur; and elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, dragons and crocodiles. Gilolo has rice, sago and turtles. Ambon has nutmeg.

On this map, mainland Southeast Asia is divided into regions such as Cochin China, Ciampa and Tunquin (modern Vietnam), Siam (Thailand), Pegu, Aracan and Ava (Myanmar), Malacca (Malaysia), Laos and Cambodia. Rivers and settlements are also shown.

On this map, mainland Southeast Asia is divided into regions such as Cochin China, Ciampa and Tunquin (modern Vietnam), Siam (Thailand), Pegu, Aracan and Ava (Myanmar), Malacca (Malaysia), Laos and Cambodia. Rivers and settlements are also shown.

On this map, mainland Southeast Asia is divided into regions such as Cochin China, Ciampa and Tunquin (modern Vietnam), Siam (Thailand), Pegu, Aracan and Ava (Myanmar), Malacca (Malaysia), Laos and Cambodia. Rivers and settlements are also shown.