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From August Petermann's ‘Geographische Mittheilungen’, this map of New Guinea and neighbouring islands is marked with a maritime route from the western tip of New Guinea that is labelled ‘from Batavia to Hong Kong in 35 days’ and dated 1846.

The borders on this mid-19th century map of mainland Southeast Asia are colour-coded to show kingdoms, countries and colonial territories. Twelve different scales are shown, as different countries used different measurement systems.

An early 19th century map of Asia by the English cartographer John Cary (c.1754–1835) with colour-coded regions.

The title of this mid-18th century map of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula claims that it was based on the diaries of sailors. Interestingly, the title is repeated in both German and French, as are the names of some of the locations marked on the map.

A mid-17th century map by the Dutch cartographer Jan Jansson, depicting a small chain of six islands off the west coast of Gilolo (modern Halmahera, in the Indonesian Maluku Islands). German text on the reverse describes the Maluku Islands.

This early 17th century map of Asia by Jodocus Hondius was based on the earlier work of the Gerard Mercator. Hondius republished Mercator’s ‘Atlas’, with additional maps, which was instrumental in re-establishing Mercator’s reputation.

This map shows the route of the first Dutch expedition to Southeast Asia in 1595-7. Led by Cornelis de Houtman, it was an attempt to enter the spice trade. The route crosses east over the Indian Ocean, circles the island of Java, and returns west.

The line of settlements along the north coast of Java—contrasting with the almost empty interior—show that this map’s focus is on the sea. The islands, shoals and reefs that are marked, and the drawings of ships, reinforce this idea.