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A nautical chart of the Indian Ocean showing bathymetry (sea depth), including in great detail around the seas and straits of Southeast Asia.

Coloured borders are used to highlight the colonial territories of the British (red), Dutch (orange), Spanish (red) and Portuguese (blue) on this mid-19th century map of Southeast Asia. An inset map shows the island and strait of Singapore.

On the main map, the volcanic regions of Southeast Asia are labelled, active and extinct volcanos are marked, and the 1815 eruption of Tumbora (Mount Tambora on Sumbawa) is highlighted. Even more details are shown on an inset map of Southeast Asia.

On the main map, the volcanic regions of Southeast Asia are labelled, active and extinct volcanos are marked, and the 1815 eruption of Tumbora (Mount Tambora on Sumbawa) is highlighted. Even more details are shown on an inset map of Southeast Asia.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting the colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), Spain (Philippines), Britain (Straits Settlements, Burma, part of Borneo) and Portugal (East Timor). From the German atlas ‘Stielers Handatlas’.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting the colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), Spain (Philippines), Britain (Straits Settlements, Burma, part of Borneo) and Portugal (East Timor). From the German atlas ‘Stielers Handatlas’.

From ‘Lizars' Edinburgh Geographical General Atlas’, this mid-19th century map was based on an earlier map by the English cartographer John Cary. It highlights the mountain ranges and rivers of Southeast Asia, and also features many place names.

Dutch map of the East Indies, with mountain ranges represented by simple hachure marks, and just a few rivers marked. Mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘Achter Indie [Beyond India]’.

Dutch map of the East Indies, with mountain ranges represented by simple hachure marks, and just a few rivers marked. Mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘Achter Indie [Beyond India]’.

This colourful map of Asia has an elaborate cartouche featuring two Asian men talking—one carries a bow, the other smokes a long pipe—while a lion sits nearby. The scale is also illustrated, with drawings of Asian birds.

This colourful map of Asia has an elaborate cartouche featuring two Asian men talking—one carries a bow, the other smokes a long pipe—while a lion sits nearby. The scale is also illustrated, with drawings of Asian birds.

The shoals and reefs of maritime Southeast Asia are highlighted on this colourful mid-19th century map, with the treacherous waters around many islands and straits marked.