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This late 18th century map of Asia by the British mathematician and cartographer Samuel Dunn uses an azimuthal projection to aid navigation.

The cartouche on this map of Asia features an Asian man smoking a long pipe, surrounded by packages, vases, a bow and arrow, a censer (incense burner) and a camel carrying a large load. The second sheet of the map features Southeast Asia.

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).

A plan of Batavia (Jakarta), the main port of the Dutch East India Company's trading network in Southeast Asia. ‘The Great River’ flows through the city to the pier, overseen by Batavia Castle at the river’s mouth. Fields surround the city walls.

A mid-18th century plan of Batavia (Jakarta), the main port of the Dutch East India Company's trading network in Southeast Asia. Ships can be seen transporting goods along ‘The Great River’ to the sea, overseen by Batavia Castle at the river’s mouth.

The title of this early 18th century map of Asia by the London-based cartographer Herman Moll (1654?–1732) refers to European colonial territories. These can be seen around the coast of India, but mostly had not yet reached further east.

The title of this early 18th century map of Asia by the London-based cartographer Herman Moll (1654?–1732) refers to European colonial territories. These can be seen around the coast of India, but mostly had not yet reached further east.

The arrows on this map show the direction of the seasonal monsoons: each arrow has a label, indicating the month. The northeast coast of Borneo is labelled ‘A Desart [desert/deserted?] Coast’, while the south is labelled ‘Pepper Country’.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.