Search

A map of the China Sea between Malaya, Sumatra and Borneo. The numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are drawings of the side views of some of the islands (elevations), both used to aid navigation. Some maritime routes are also marked.

Maps like this aided navigation through the islands, shoals and reefs of Singapore and the Malacca Strait. Three routes around Singapore are shown, numbers on the sea indicate water depth, and the profile views of mountains were used as landmarks.

A navigation map of part of the north coast of Java, featuring the ports of Batavia (Jakarta) and Bantam (Serang). Includes colourful paintings of a ‘menschen fressers [cannibal]’ island, Javanese people and palm trees (dates, banana, coconut).

This map features maritime routes: between Siam and Batavia; and five routes of the explorers Juan Gaetan and Olivier du Nord (dated 1542) east of the Philippines. The cartouche has a colourful illustration of Asian people in traditional costume.

This early 18th century maritime map charts the waters of the Straits of Sunda, between the islands of Java and Sumatra. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation.

This early 18th century maritime map charts the waters between the islands of Java, Madura and Bally (Bali). The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation.

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.

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 map shows the route of the first Dutch expedition to Southeast Asia in 1595-7. Led by Cornelis de Houtman, it was an attempt to enter the spice trade. The route crosses east over the Indian Ocean, circles the island of Java, and returns west.