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A piece of paper printed with a list of the various regions of Asia, including the regions of Southeast Asia, has been adhered to the right-hand side of this late 18th century map of Asia.

The arrows on this map show the direction of the seasonal monsoons of Southeast Asia during the late 18th century. Each arrow has a label in French, indicating the month. The hatched sea areas are where the winds always blow in the same direction.

Map of the regions, empires and states of Asia. Extensive notes cover religion (people of mainland Southeast Asia are idolaters), colonialism (Dutch and Portuguese rule in Malacca and the Sunda Islands) and the spice trade of the Maluku Islands.

Map of the regions, empires and states of Asia. Extensive notes cover religion (people of mainland Southeast Asia are idolaters), colonialism (Dutch and Portuguese rule in Malacca and the Sunda Islands) and the spice trade of the Maluku Islands.

The title of this mid-18th century map translates as ‘Asia following the latest observations of the Muscovites/Russians’. Written notes in French list the regions, islands, empires, kingdoms, colonial possessions, religions and languages of Asia.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a note stating that there are new features on this map not seen on previous maps, and that this is not a mistake. The cartouche features a column of Asian people riding on horses and camels.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a note stating that there are new features on this map not seen on previous maps, and that this is not a mistake. The cartouche features a column of Asian people riding on horses and camels.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a note stating that there are new features on this map not seen on previous maps, and that this is not a mistake. The colourful cartouche features a column of Asian people riding on horses and camels.

This early 18th century map of Southeast Asia includes a list detailing the location (latitude and longitude) of seven important cities in the region: Batavia, Achem, Camboya, Siam, Borneo, Macaçar and Manilla.

This early 18th century map of Southeast Asia includes a list detailing the location (latitude and longitude) of seven important cities in the region: Batavia, Achem, Camboya, Siam, Borneo, Macaçar and Manilla.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a note stating that there are new features on this map not seen on previous maps, and that this is not a mistake. The cartouche features a column of Asian people riding on horses and camels.

The southern coast of Java ('Iava Maior') on this map is represented by a dotted line, indicating that the exact coastline was unknown at this time. French text on the reverse describes the geography, crops, animals etc. of the Maluku Islands.