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A mid-18th century plan of Batavia (Jakarta), the main port of the Dutch East India Company's trading network in Southeast Asia. Ships can be seen transporting goods along ‘The Great River’ to the sea, overseen by Batavia Castle at the river’s mouth.

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).

This colourful mid-18th century plan of the city of Amboine (Ambon, capital of Ambon Island, in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia) has a detailed legend identifying locations within the city and the surrounding mountains. The text is in French and Dutch.

A map of the northern coast of Java and the important port cities of Batavia (Jakarta) and Bantem (Banten). The web of lines is a rhumbline network, and shoals, reefs and bathymetry (sea depth) are marked, all to aid navigation.

The London-based cartographer Herman Moll (1654?–1732) created this map of Asia in the early 18th century. There are five insets showing Asian trading cities, including of the ports of Batavia (Jakarta) and Bantam (Banten) in western Java.

The legend and written notes on this plan of Batavia (Jakarta) provide much detailed information about the important port city in the early 18th century. It is also beautifully decorated with paintings of the city, local people, animals and ships.

This map of the city of Mataram, on the Indonesian island of Lombok, shows the city surrounded by detailed illustrations of mountains which, the map’s subtitle notes, ‘serve de murailles’ [serve as its walls].

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Judia’) represented pictorially, surrounded by rivers and with a grid-like layout of roads, rivers and buildings. The city existed from 1350 until 1767 when it was destroyed by an invading Burmese force.

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Judia’) represented pictorially, surrounded by rivers and with a grid-like layout of roads, rivers and buildings. The city existed from 1350 until 1767 when it was destroyed by an invading Burmese force.

This map showcases the colonial territories of Southeast Asia in the 18th century, with text detailing trading information and the products of each region. There are five inset maps featuring plans of specific trading ports.

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Ville de Siam’), surrounded by the Menam River (Chao Phraya River). Roads and buildings are marked, including a number of royal palaces and pagodas, which are listed on the Dutch and French-language legend.

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Ville de Siam’), surrounded by the Menam River (Chao Phraya River). Roads and buildings are marked, including a number of royal palaces and pagodas, which are listed on the Dutch and French-language legend.