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Map of the Banda Islands—which was at this time the only source of nutmeg in the world—featuring mountains, plantations, settlements and a military fort. On the island of Gunnanapi (Banda Api) a volcano erupts (‘api’ means ‘fire’ in Indonesian).

The many navigation aids marked on this map, including bathymetry (sea depth), anchor points, shoals, and elevations of hills, were designed to guide ships around this part of the west coast of Timor. The Dutch fort Concordia is also marked.

This map shows the empires and kingdoms of Southeast Asia. Its decorative cartouche features drawings of plants, a camel, a vase, and the heads of children blowing to represent wind. An inset shows tall buildings, possibly Asian temples.

This map shows the empires and kingdoms of Southeast Asia. Its decorative cartouche features drawings of plants, a camel, a vase, and the heads of children blowing to represent wind. An inset shows tall buildings, possibly Asian temples.

The 20 colourful illustrations around the border of this 18th century map of Asia depict a variety of historical and biblical scenes, including the Crucifixion of Jesus and the sacking of Troy. Each scene has a description in French and Spanish.

A map to aid navigation around the Bay of Touranne (Bay of Turon, location of modern city of Da Nang, Vietnam). The web of lines is a rhumbline network, and bathymetry (sea depth), anchor points and two elevation views of the coasts are shown.

There is a port at the south of this map of the Côn Đảo archipelago (Vietnam), and notes giving details such as a suitable location to careen ships (turning a ship on its side for cleaning or repair). A ruined English fort is also marked.

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 Gulf of Siam (Gulf of Thailand) with shoals and small islands marked. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation. There is an inset map of the Redang Archipelago.

Map of the coast of Selangor on the west of the Malay Peninsula. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are drawings of the side views of mountains (elevations), all 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.

Two coastal navigation maps: one of the Mergui Archipelago off the west coast of Myanmar; and one of Phuket (‘Isle Junkseilon’) and the surrounding islands off the west coast of Thailand. Both feature bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs.