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Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

Although this map focuses on French colonial possessions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, a small part of Southeast Asia is shown: labelled ‘Birmans’, it was part of the Birman Empire (modern Myanmar).

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’).

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

A map of a small island chain off the west coast of the island of Gilola (modern Halmahera in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia). The military forts on the islands were used by the European colonial powers during conflicts over the area’s spice trade.

Map of a small island chain off the west coast of Gilolo (modern Halmahera in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia). Italian text describes the larger islands (Ternate and Tidore) and the Philippines. From Vicenzo Coronelli's ‘Corso Geografico Universale’.

Unusually, north is located to the right of this early 17th century map of the Maluku Islands, rather than the top. The scale is shown on a stone monument. French text on the reverse describes Java.