Search

Longitude is indicated in two different ways on this mid-18th century map: along the top border, it is shown in degrees (number of degrees east of London); more unusually, along the bottom border, it is shown in time (number of hours east of London).

Coloured borders divide this late 18th century map of Asia into empires, kingdoms and regions. Five major rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia are named: Aua, Pegu, Tenasserim, Menan and Camboya.

This map of the Sunda Islands features three different locations for the city of Palembang. ‘Palambam’ is in the correct location on Sumatra, while ‘Palimbam’ is in west Java, and ‘Palambang’ is in east Java, a confusion often seen at this time.

Longitude is indicated in two different ways on this mid-18th century map: along the top border, it is shown in degrees (number of degrees east of London); more unusually, along the bottom border, it is shown in time (number of hours east of London).

This 18th century map of Southeast Asia by the French cartographer Gilles Robert de Vaugondy features the national borders of the Philippines in green, and of modern Indonesia in yellow. The Malay Peninsula and modern Cambodia and Vietnam are in red.

This mid-18th century map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain.

Based on a Dutch map of the Sunda Islands, with the text changed to Italian. Some Dutch remains e.g. a label on Borneo: ‘Beajous Afgoden dienars bewonende het middelste gedeelte vant Eilland [Beajous idolaters inhabit the middle part of the Island]’.

Based on a Dutch map of the Sunda Islands, with the text changed to Italian. Some Dutch remains e.g. a label on Borneo: ‘Beajous Afgoden dienars bewonende het middelste gedeelte vant Eilland [Beajous idolaters inhabit the middle part of the Island]’.

This map features maritime routes: between Siam and Batavia; and five routes of the explorers Juan Gaetan and Olivier du Nord (dated 1542) east of the Philippines. The cartouche has a colourful illustration of Asian people in traditional costume.

The illustration on this map highlights the wealth of the Asian trade routes, with merchants wearing colourful and elaborate robes presenting valuable treasures to a royal figure. A monkey, tortoise and camel emphasise the 'exoticism' of Asia.

This mid-17th century map of the Sunda Isles (‘Isles de la Sonde’) includes the Malay Peninsula in addition to Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Mountain ranges and jungles are shown pictorially, and the islands and coasts feature shoals and reefs.