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A map of the China Sea between Malaya, Sumatra and Borneo. The numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are drawings of the side views of some of the islands (elevations), both used to aid navigation. Some maritime routes are also marked.

A late 18th century map of maritime Southeast Asia by the French geographer Jacques Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772). The title refers to the ‘Stretto della Sonda’ (Sunda Strait), the strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java.

This map uses colour to identify regions in late 18th century Southeast Asia, many of which roughly correspond to modern countries: Pegu=Myanmar, Tonkin/Cochin China=Vietnam, Lao =Laos, Siam=Thailand, Malaya=Malaysia, Philippin Islands=Philippines.

On this map of Java, mountains are shown pictorially and labelled with their name. The coasts are marked with shoals, reefs, bathymetry (sea depth, in figures) and anchor points. The land is divided into administrative districts.

This late 18th century map of Batavia (Jakarta) focusses on the network of canals and rivers surrounding the city, as well as the many fields and plantations, including rice fields (‘Champ de Ris’) and sugarcane (‘Cannes de Sucre’).

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.

This mid-18th century map of Southeast Asia includes written notes on goods produced and traded, geographical features, and wild animals found in each part of the region.

This mid-18th century map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain.

On this map of Java, mountains are shown pictorially and labelled with their name. The coasts are marked with shoals, reefs, bathymetry (sea depth, in figures) and anchor points. The land is divided into administrative districts.

The coast of New Guinea (‘Nouvelle Guinée’) is represented in part by a dotted line on this mid-18th century map, indicating that the exact coastlines were unknown at this time. The western tip is labelled ‘C. de Bonne Esperance [Cape of Good Hope]’.

A mid-18th century map of the island of Amboine (Ambon Island in the Maluku Islands of modern Indonesia), featuring mountains, rivers and paths. Other notable highlights include a ruined castle, a guardroom, and houses.

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.