Search

Two maps of the Dutch East Indies, decorated with drawings of local people and animals. Dutch colonial territory and local sultanates and provinces are highlighted. The heights of Java’s mountains and settlements are displayed in an elevation view.

A map of the south-eastern tip of Borneo (modern South Kalimantan) spread over four sheets, featuring mountains, wetlands and rivers. Created by the Dutch colonial authorities, small flags mark fortifications of Dutch and auxiliary troops.

Hachures—short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain—are used to show the mountains of Sumatra’s west coast, and of the Padang Highlands and Lowlands. Text lists the heights of some of the region’s chief mountains.

Map of Java divided into administrative areas (‘residencies’ and ‘regencies’). Mountains are represented by hachures, short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain. Postal routes and roads are also marked.

Map of Java divided into administrative areas (‘residencies’ and ‘regencies’). Mountains are represented by hachures, short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain. Postal routes and roads are also marked.

This mid-19th century map of Southeast Asia is illustrated with drawings of indigenous people from New Guinea, a ‘bee bear’ (probably a sun bear), a sailboat in front of Victoria Mount in New Guinea, and a village and palm trees in Sarawak, Borneo.

Southeast Asia is featured on the last of the four sheets of this map of Asia. The South China Sea is particularly detailed, with islands, rocks, shoals and reefs named, sometimes dated, and even marked with the name of the ship that mapped them.

On this map of Asia, the South China Sea is labelled ‘Malayan Sea’. Small islands, shoals and reefs are shown. A label in Cochin China (Vietnam) reads ‘mountains inhabited by the uncivilized people called Kemoys’.

On this map of Asia, the South China Sea is labelled ‘Malayan Sea’. Small islands, shoals and reefs are shown. A label in Cochin China (Vietnam) reads ‘mountains inhabited by the uncivilized people called Kemoys’.

Southeast Asia is on the last sheet of this map of Asia. The South China Sea is labelled ‘Malayan Sea’. Small islands, shoals and reefs are shown. A label in Cochin China (Vietnam) reads ‘mountains inhabited by the uncivilized people called Kemoys’.