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On this map of Asia, Borneo is labelled ‘The Inland Part of this Island is inhabited by the Biayos a savage People’, a description seen on many contemporary maps. The ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia are also shown.

On this map of Asia, Borneo is labelled ‘The Inland Part of this Island is inhabited by the Biayos a savage People’, a description seen on many contemporary maps. The ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia are also shown.

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.

The ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia are shown on this 18th century map, including Ava and Pegu (Myanmar), Siam (Thailand), Tonquin (Vietnam), Laos and—between Cochin China (Vietnam) and Camboja (Cambodia)—‘A Savage Nation called KEMOYS’.

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 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.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: New Guinea is described as unknown to Europeans; Borneo was abandoned by Europeans due to the ‘unmanageability’ of the inhabitants; the Philippines were discovered by Spain in 1565.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: New Guinea is described as unknown to Europeans; Borneo was abandoned by Europeans due to the ‘unmanageability’ of the inhabitants; the Philippines were discovered by Spain in 1565.

Map of the eastern coast of mainland Southeast Asia (modern Vietnam and part of Cambodia), divided into Tsiampa and Kochinchine (yellow) and Tunquin (green). The shoals and reefs of the Paracel Islands are marked. The text is in French and Dutch.

Map of Asia featuring an early—and very vague—depiction of New Britain (‘Nieuw Brittanje’) which was named by the British explorer William Dampier when he visited in 1700. The ‘Straat van Dampier’ is also shown, dividing New Britain from New Guinea.