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On this late 19th century map of the Malay Peninsula, the British colonial territories—the Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca, Dinding and Penang—are in red, demarcating them from the British protectorate states of the rest of the peninsula.

Map of Sumatra and surrounding islands, with residencies—administrative districts—shown by coloured borders. There are inset maps of two residencies surrounding Padang, and of Groot-Atjeh (Aceh). Rivers, railways, roads and settlements are marked.

Map of the Malay Peninsula divided into States, with names of local peoples marked (e.g. ‘Inhabited by Sakai & Semang’). Lighthouses are shown around the coast—including Horsburgh Lighthouse and Raffles Lighthouse—with their visible distance.

Map of the Malay Peninsula divided into States, with names of local peoples marked (e.g. ‘Inhabited by Sakai & Semang’). Lighthouses are shown around the coast—including Horsburgh Lighthouse and Raffles Lighthouse—with their visible distance.

British Burma is shown on the right of this two-sheet map of India. The green areas had come under British rule after the first and second Anglo-Burmese wars, with Upper Burma (light brown) being incorporated after the Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885).

This map of mainland Southeast Asia features short texts noting mines, trade routes and travel times (‘5 to 7 days on Elephants’), history (‘conquered by the King of Siam 1809’), peoples (‘states tributary to the Chinese’) and products (‘Tea Tree’).

Map of the Riouw (Riau) Residency, Sumatra. The border between Riau and the island’s west coast is marked in red ‘as far as it is known [voor zoo verre die... bekend is]’, ending abruptly in the unexplored mountains near Lake Toba, northern Sumatra.

This detailed map of the Dutch East Indies in the mid-19th century contains a great deal of information: topographical details, settlements and administrative areas, roads, railways and maritime routes, telegraph lines, inset maps etc.

The Dutch East Indies are bordered in red on this mid-19th century map. A maritime postal route from China to Europe, via Singapore and Penang, is shown. Another maritime route, from Batavia to Singapore, is also marked.

Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula feature on this map of the Indian Ocean. Enganno Island, west of southern Sumatra, has a label that translates as ‘inhabited by very pernicious savages’. An inset map depicts the Madura Strait between Java and Madura.

Dotted lines on this late 17th century map demarcate regions and kingdoms (which also have a crown symbol). The cartouche is shaped like a giant shell supported by mermen, with cherubs holding up shells and pearls on top.