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The many inaccuracies and omissions on this early map of Southeast Asia show the limitations of geographical knowledge at the time. There are some interesting details though, such as a legend listing the small islands in the Moluccas and Philippines.

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Ville de Siam’), surrounded by the Menam River (Chao Phraya River). Roads and buildings are marked, including a number of royal palaces and pagodas, which are listed on the Dutch and French-language legend.

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Ville de Siam’), surrounded by the Menam River (Chao Phraya River). Roads and buildings are marked, including a number of royal palaces and pagodas, which are listed on the Dutch and French-language legend.

This map of Asia is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, and features a drawing of his coat of arms. He had been in line to succeed to the English throne, but died at the age of 11 in 1700, the year before this map was produced.

Map of the Me-nam River (Chao Phraya River) with the city of Ayutthaya (labelled ‘Siri India’) in the centre. Its mouth at the Gulf of Thailand is to the left. Over 100 buildings, towns and other places are shown pictorially and listed in the legend.

Map of the Me-nam River (Chao Phraya River) with the city of Ayutthaya (labelled ‘Siri India’) in the centre. Its mouth at the Gulf of Thailand is to the left. Over 100 buildings, towns and other places are shown pictorially and listed in the legend.

Map of the Me-nam River (Chao Phraya River) with the city of Ayutthaya (labelled ‘Siri India’) in the centre. Its mouth at the Gulf of Thailand is to the left. Over 100 buildings, towns and other places are shown pictorially and listed in the legend.

Map of the Me-nam River (Chao Phraya River) with the city of Ayutthaya (labelled ‘Siri India’) in the centre. Its mouth at the Gulf of Thailand is to the left. Over 100 buildings, towns and other places are shown pictorially and listed in the legend.

Map of the Me-nam River (Chao Phraya River) with the city of Ayutthaya (labelled ‘Siri India’) in the centre. Its mouth at the Gulf of Thailand is to the left. Over 100 buildings, towns and other places are shown pictorially and listed in the legend.

Map of the Me-nam River (Chao Phraya River) with the city of Ayutthaya (labelled ‘Siri India’) in the centre. Its mouth at the Gulf of Thailand is to the left. Over 100 buildings, towns and other places are shown pictorially and listed in the legend.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.