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On this late 19th century map of the Malay Peninsula, the British colonial territories—the Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca, Dinding and Penang—are in red, demarcating them from the British protectorate states of the rest of the peninsula.

This map of Asia is from ‘Stieler’s Schul-Atlas’, a version of ‘Stielers Handatlas’ that was used widely in German schools in the 19th century.

This map of Asia is from ‘Stieler’s Schul-Atlas’, a version of ‘Stielers Handatlas’ that was used widely in German schools in the 19th century.

Map of the Malay Peninsula showing three British colonial territories: British Burmah, British Malaya (Perak, Selangore, Pahang, Johore) and the Straits Settlements (Pinang/Wellesley, Dindings, Malacca (Singapore not shown)).

The Straits Settlements are in red, with the rest of the map marked with names of local peoples (‘Inhabited by the Johor Jakuns’) and resources (mines). Many areas are left blank or vague as unexplored or approximate. Inset map of Singapore city.

The Straits Settlements are in red, with the rest of the map marked with names of local peoples (‘Inhabited by the Johor Jakuns’) and resources (mines). Many areas are left blank or vague as unexplored or approximate. Inset map of Singapore city.

Six-sheet map of the Malay Peninsula, featuring settlements, mountains and rivers. Labels note names of indigenous peoples, or describe terrain/resources. There is an inset map of Singapore town, and the Straits Settlements are highlighted in red.

On this hand-drawn and coloured map of Asia, the colours differentiate the colonial territories of the European powers: for example, New Guinea is divided into Dutch, British and German areas, and Borneo is split between the British and Dutch.

Map of the city of Malakka (Malacca/Melaka) and its surroundings, with rivers, hills and a coastal road marked. There is a military fort, presumably the ‘A Famosa [The Famous]’ fort that is noted on the map as having been demolished.

Map of the city of Malakka (Malacca/Melaka) and its surroundings, with rivers, hills and a coastal road marked. There is a military fort, presumably the ‘A Famosa [The Famous]’ fort that is noted on the map as having been demolished.

This map of Asia uses hachures—short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain—over most of Southeast Asia. Major rivers, islands and cities are also marked.

On this map of Asia, colours are used to show the colonial territories of the European powers, and to show Muslim and Buddhist regions: Sumatra is divided between the Netherlands and local rulers; the Straits Settlements underlined in red (British).