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Map of the Bay of Bengal, with the western coast of mainland Southeast Asia. Shoals, reefs and islands are marked. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation.

Map of the northern Malacca Strait—between Sumatra and Malaya—with shoals and reefs marked, some labelled as ‘dangerous’. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation.

This 18th century maritime navigation map charts the waters between the islands of Java, Sumatra and Borneo. A route south towards the Sunda Strait, as taken by the French ship Mascarin in March and April 1772, is highlighted.

Amongst the mountains and jungles of mid-18th century Bali, this map shows three royal palaces, walled encampments, and seven Buddhist temples (or ‘stupa’) on the east coast. Inset illustrations depict a palace and a temple in detail.

This map of Asia is taken from Noël Antonine Pluche's ‘Concorde de la géographie des différens âges’ published in 1772.

The arrows on this map show the direction of the seasonal monsoons of Southeast Asia during the late 18th century. Each arrow has a label in French, indicating the month. The hatched sea areas are where the winds always blow in the same direction.

This map shows the empires and kingdoms of Asia. Its decorative cartouche features a drawing of a censer (incense burner) standing on a plinth, surrounded by patterned curtains and carpet. Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines is noted on the map.

This map shows the empires and kingdoms of Asia. Its decorative cartouche features a drawing of a censer (incense burner) standing on a plinth, surrounded by patterned curtains and carpet. Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines is noted on the map.

Amongst the mountains and jungles of mid-18th century Bali, this map shows three royal palaces, walled encampments, towns, and seven Buddhist temples (or ‘stupa’) on the east coast. Inset illustrations depict a palace and a temple in detail.

Three of the larger Sunda Islands—Sumatra, Java and Borneo—are shown on this mid-18th century map, along with a few of the smaller islands such as Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa. Celebes (Sulawesi) and some of the other smaller islands are not included.

This mid-18th century map shows the island of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, divided by the Straits of Malacca. A note in French at the top right corner states that the interior of Sumatra and the course of its rivers are unknown.

This map shows the islands of Java, Sumatra and Borneo, the straits of Sunda, Malacca and Bangka, and the Gulf of Siam. The points of the compass can be seen radiating out from a central compass rose.