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This late 19th century map of Southeast Asia shows the best maritime routes around the region, according to the time of year. There are also inset maps highlighting the rivers and southern islands of Singapore, and the sea depth around Labuan Island.

A hand drawn map showing mountains, rivers, roads and settlements in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula belonging to Siam (Thailand). This map was copied from one made by the Siamese government in 1870.

A map of the administrative divisions of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. The mountains of western Sumatra and the central Malay Peninsula are represented by hachures: short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain.

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.

Map of the Riouw (Riau) Residency, Sumatra. The border between Riau and the island’s west coast is marked in red ‘as far as it is known [voor zoo verre die... bekend is]’, ending abruptly in the unexplored mountains near Lake Toba, northern Sumatra.

This map of mainland Southeast Asia has colour-coded borders: Burmah (Myanmar) in red, Siam (Thailand) in brown, and Anam (Vietnam) in green. The British territory of Penang is also bordered in red. Independent areas are bordered in grey.

On this hand-drawn and coloured map of Asia, the colours differentiate the colonial territories of the European powers: for example, New Guinea is divided into Dutch, British and German areas, and Borneo is split between the British and Dutch.

On this map of Southeast Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers. On Borneo, the names of indigenous peoples are listed (‘Dayak’s, Papua’s, Bugi’s’).

On this map of Southeast Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers. On Borneo, the names of indigenous peoples are listed (‘Dayak’s, Papua’s, Bugi’s’).

Map of the Dutch East Indies, divided into administrative regions with coloured borders. There is an inset map of the important port city of Batavia (Jakarta) and its surroundings.

Map of the East Indies in the mid-19th century, with Dutch colonial territory (Dutch East Indies) coloured in brown. Dutch administrative regions—such as residencies (‘residentie’) and governorates (‘gouvernement’)—are labelled.

The route between Saigon and Rangoon taken by the German ethnologist Adolf Bastian is marked on this map of mainland Southeast Asia. There are two inset maps of cites: Mandalay, Amarapura and Ava in Burma; and Bangkok in Siam (including 14 temples).