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The legend on this hand-drawn map of the district of Poerbolingo (Purbalingga), Central Java, includes ‘hoofd plaats [main town]’, ‘dessa [village]’, ‘doekoeh [farm]’, ‘indigofabriek [indigo plant mill]’ and ‘koffypakhuis [coffee warehouse]’.

This detailed map of the Dutch East Indies in the mid-19th century is spread over eight sheets, plus a cover sheet showing the whole area. There are numerous inset maps of islands, bays, cities etc.

This map of the Dutch East Indies is spread over eight sheets, with a hand-drawn cover sheet showing the whole area. There are numerous inset maps of islands, bays, cities etc. Two of the inset maps have a replacement map pasted over them.

This map of the city of Soerabaia (modern Surabaya, East Java) shows the Mas River flowing through the city, with wetlands near the coast, and fields, plantations and villages in the surrounding countryside. A 1931 reprint of an 1825 map.

Map of Java marked with administrative regions, settlements, roads, mountains and rivers. There is an inset map of the port city of Batavia, with its system of rivers and canals, and its surrounding country with villages, fields and plantations.

Map of Java marked with administrative regions, settlements, roads, mountains and rivers. There is an inset map of the port city of Batavia, with its system of rivers and canals, and its surrounding country with villages, fields and plantations.

A plan of the port of Batavia with a detailed legend identifying parts of the city. The sword and laurel wreath of the city’s coat of arms, and the Dutch East India Company flag (marked ‘VOC’ or ‘Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie’) are also shown.

Hand-drawn map of islands in the Riau Archipelago, with bathymetry (sea depth) marked. It features side views of hills (‘elevations’) to use as landmarks, including ‘Jehore hill’, probably in Johor at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.

A plan of the port city of Batavia in the 18th century. Small ships can be seen transporting goods along the river to the pier, and the street plan also includes churches, shopping areas and hospitals, as noted on the map’s detailed legend.

This late 18th century map of Batavia (Jakarta) focusses on the network of canals and rivers surrounding the city, as well as the many fields and plantations, including rice fields (‘Champ de Ris’) and sugarcane (‘Cannes de Sucre’).

Map of the Banda Islands—which was at this time the only source of nutmeg in the world—featuring mountains, plantations, settlements and a military fort. On the island of Goenong Api (Banda Api) a volcano erupts (‘api’ means ‘fire’ in Indonesian).

This mid-18th century plan of the city of Malaca (Malacca/Melaka) focuses on the military fort (‘A Famosa [The Famous]’), but also includes two churches, a mosque and a Chinese temple. Two markets are also marked, as is the entrance to the port.