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This map of mainland Southeast Asia has colour-coded borders: Burmah (Myanmar) in red, Siam (Thailand) in brown, and Anam (Vietnam) in green. The British territory of Penang is also bordered in red. Independent areas are bordered in grey.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show territorial regions in Asia towards the middle of the fifth century. Borneo is labelled ‘Kalemantan’, and Sulawesi is labelled ‘Mangkassar’.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show territorial regions in Asia from the 6th to the 9th centuries. Thailand is labelled 'Siang-koue' and Vietnam is 'Tschn-tschin'.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show territorial regions in Asia in the 9th and 10th centuries. Thailand is labelled ‘Siang-koue', and Malaya is ‘Ujung Tanah Zyrbad’.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show territorial regions in Asia in the 11th and 12th centuries. Borneo is labelled ‘Kalemantan’, and Malaya is labelled ‘Tanah Malayu (Malai)’.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show the colonial possessions of the European powers—Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, France, Britain and Denmark—at the end of the 17th century.

A late 18th century map of Asia with regions divided by colour-coded borders, and detailing rivers, mountains, reefs and shoals.

This map of Asia features a decorative cartouche with drawings of two women—one with a cornucopia and one with a censer (incense burner)—and a French coat of arms. Interestingly, the map is dated 1792, during the French Revolution.

On this map, ‘Lago di Chiamay’, one of number of mythical lakes once thought to exist in southern China, feeds five rivers—labelled ‘Menam’, ‘Pegu’ ‘Maraban’, ‘Cosmin’ and ‘Caor’—which flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.

A detailed late 17th century map of Asia, showing ancient kingdoms and the place names of important settlements. The cartouche features a drawing of Asian traders selling their goods, while a camel, monkey and two birds look on.

Produced by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson (1600–1667) in the mid-17th century, this map of Asia features hand-coloured regional borders. Its cartouche features cherubim and decorative scrollwork.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.