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Map of the Kai Islands, in the Banda Sea, designed for navigation: it features bathymetry (sea depth), reefs and shoals. Obstructions in the water are marked ‘kr’ (coral), ‘m’ (mud), ‘s’ (shells), ‘st’ (stones), and ‘z’ (sand).

From a Dutch geographical society journal, this map of the west coast of Atjeh (Aceh), Sumatra, shows shoals, reefs, bathymetry (sea depth) and anchor points. On land, there are mountains (with heights), rivers, pepper plantations and rice fields.

This map uses hachures—short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain—to show Java’s mountains. There are also two side views (elevations) of the mountains showing the heights of various road routes across the island.

This map uses hachures—short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain—to show Java’s mountains. There are also two side views (elevations) of the mountains showing the heights of various road routes across the island.

Map of Java divided into administrative areas. Mountains are shown pictorially, major rivers are named, and the coasts have shoals. The map is orientated with south at the top, so the island looks ‘upside down’ compared to how it is usually shown.

Map of Java divided into administrative areas. Mountains are shown pictorially, major rivers are named, and the coasts have shoals. The map is orientated with south at the top, so the island looks ‘upside down’ compared to how it is usually shown.

Published in the early 18th century by the Dutch publisher Pieter van der Aa (1659–1733), this map of Java and the Java Sea is decorated with a colourful painted scene of merchants and boats at a trading port.

A map of a small island chain off the west coast of the island of Gilola (modern Halmahera in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia). The military forts on the islands were used by the European colonial powers during conflicts over the area’s spice trade.

This map of mainland Southeast Asia features a label describing the local population of the mountains of Cochinchine (Vietnam) as ‘les Kemoi Sauvages [the Kemoi savages]’. The cartouche features a drawing of Asia with people, fields and palm trees.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

Java is shown as two separate islands on this map, with the western island named Sunda. The southern coast is labelled as ‘unknown’. A colourful cartouche is decorated with a painting of indigenous Javanese people meeting and trading with Europeans.