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There is an inset map of the island of Singapore on this map of India. The island is coloured red to indicate it is British colonial territory. The surrounding islands and straits are marked, as well as details of the city such as the Sultan Mosque.

There is an inset map of the island of Singapore on this map of India. The island is coloured red to indicate it is British colonial territory. The surrounding islands and straits are marked, as well as details of the city such as the Sultan Mosque.

An early 19th century map of Singapore’s southern coast and islands, with bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs, anchor points, and notes to aid navigation. The roads and main buildings of Singapore city are also shown.

Brief notes printed on this 19th century map of Southeast Asia provide details about each region, including: numbers and ethnicity of the population, local or colonial rulers, crops and products, geography (corals, forests, volcanos, earthquakes).

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.

Navigation chart of the Sunda Strait, with sea depth, anchor points, shoals and other obstructions. Includes many bays, with four highlighted on inset maps. Partly based on writings of Captain Krusenstern whose 1806 route through the strait is shown.

Navigation chart of the Sunda Strait, with sea depth, anchor points, shoals and other obstructions. Includes many bays, with four highlighted on inset maps. Partly based on writings of Captain Krusenstern whose 1806 route through the strait is shown.

A plan of Batavia in the early 19th century, with the castle, church, dock yard, timber yard and hospital highlighted on the map’s legend. Also shown is the canal flowing through the city to the port, where the sea depth (‘soundings’) is indicated.

Map focusing on the passage between Penang Island and the mainland, with shoals and reefs marked and described, and bathymetry (sea depth) shown. There are anchor points at George Town harbour, and landmarks—hills, trees, a fort—to aid navigation.

Map focusing on the passage between Penang Island and the mainland, with shoals and reefs marked and described, and bathymetry (sea depth) shown. There are anchor points at George Town harbour, and landmarks—hills, trees, a fort—to aid navigation.

Nautical charts, like this late 18th century example of the north-west coast of Borneo, were designed to help ships navigate. The numbers marked along the coastline and sea routes indicate the depth of the sea (bathymetry).

Maritime routes had to be adjusted in response to the changing monsoon seasons, as is seen on this late 18th century map of the Indian Ocean. Drawings of the heads of children blowing—called ‘wind-heads’—are used to indicate wind direction.