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This map of Asia was published by The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge in the mid-19th century. It includes a list of the number of people living in each Asian region, with the total population of Asia listed as 630 million.

On this map of Asia, the South China Sea is labelled ‘Malayan Sea’. Small islands, shoals and reefs are shown. A label in Cochin China (Vietnam) reads ‘mountains inhabited by the uncivilized people called Kemoys’.

On this map of Asia, the South China Sea is labelled ‘Malayan Sea’. Small islands, shoals and reefs are shown. A label in Cochin China (Vietnam) reads ‘mountains inhabited by the uncivilized people called Kemoys’.

Brief notes printed on this 19th century map of Southeast Asia provide details about each region, including: numbers and ethnicity of the population, local or colonial rulers, crops and products, geography (corals, forests, volcanos, earthquakes).

Coloured borders are used on this map to divide mainland Southeast Asia into empires and kingdoms. Mountains, rivers and major settlements are shown in land, with islands, shoals and reefs marked in the South China Sea.

A 19th century map of mainland Southeast Asia, showing the ancient kingdoms of the Birman Empire (roughly modern Myanmar), Malaya (Malaysia), Siam (Thailand), Cochin China and Tonquin (Vietnam), and the Anamese Empire (Cambodia and Laos).

This late 19th century map of Southeast Asia shows the best maritime routes around the region, according to the time of year. There is also an inset map highlighting the rivers and southern islands of Singapore.

This map of mainland Southeast Asia is divided into colour-coded regions. The Birman Empire (Myanmar) is the most detailed, with internal regions, rivers including the Irrawaddy, mountains and settlements marked.

Map of the Strait of Malacca, with inset maps of a central part of the strait and of the Singapore Strait. Bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs are marked, and there are elevations (side views of hills and mountains to use as landmarks).

On this map of Sumatra, the west coast mountain ranges contrast with the rivers to the east. An inset map of Singapore focuses on jungles along the coasts, and features bathymetry (sea depth) around the south coast and along the Singapore Strait.

Chart of the Singapore Strait, Riau Archipelago and Lingga Islands, marked with bathymetry (sea depth), side views of landmark mountains (elevations), written notes, and islands, shoals and reefs, all to aid navigation.

Chart of the Singapore Strait, Riau Archipelago and Lingga Islands, marked with bathymetry (sea depth), side views of landmark mountains (elevations), written notes, and islands, shoals and reefs, all to aid navigation.