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On this map of India and Southeast Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers: British, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Danish.

On this map of India and Southeast Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers: British, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Danish.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting European colonial possessions. Unusually, the south coast of the Philippine island of Mindanao is shown twice, reflecting uncertainty about its true location. Names of indigenous peoples are listed on Borneo.

From ‘Thomson’s New General Atlas’, this mid-19th century map was based on an earlier map by the English cartographer John Cary. It highlights the mountain ranges and rivers of Southeast Asia, and also features many place names.

This map of Asia is from the earliest version of ‘Stielers Handatlas’ by the German cartographers Adolf Stieler and Christian Gottlieb Reichard. The maps were initially published separately; later editions compiled them into book form.

This map of Asia is from the earliest version of ‘Stielers Handatlas’ by the German cartographers Adolf Stieler and Christian Gottlieb Reichard. The maps were initially published separately; later editions compiled them into book form.

This map of Asia features the ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia, such as the Birman Empire, Siam, Tonquin and Cochinchina. There are labels noting the inhabitants of some areas, such as 'Biajos' and ‘Tedongs’ in Borneo, and ‘Kemoy’ in Anam.

This map of Asia features the ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia, such as the Birman Empire, Siam, Tonquin and Cochinchina. There are labels noting the inhabitants of some areas, such as 'Biajos' and ‘Tedongs’ in Borneo, and ‘Kemoy’ in Anam.

This early 19th century map was based on an earlier map by the English cartographer John Cary. It highlights the mountain ranges and rivers of Southeast Asia, and also features many place names of cities, towns and islands.

Although there is not much detail on this early 19th century map of Southeast Asia, in addition to place names, some rivers and ports are named, and there is even a ‘Dutch Factory’ on the west coast of Malaya.

An early 19th century map, with the regions of Southeast Asia marked with different colours. Interestingly, Cambodia and modern Vietnam (labelled here as Cochinchina and Tonkin) are grouped with China.

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’.