Search

Spread over four sheets, this topographical map was based on the explorations of the French civil servant Auguste Pavie. Lasting 16 years (1879–1895), his ‘Missions Pavie’ explored all of mainland Southeast Asia.

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.

Map marking the routes through maritime Southeast Asia of two delegations: a French delegation from Brest, France to Siam in 1685; and a Siamese delegation from Siam to Brest in 1686. A note next to Aceh records a sea battle against Portugal in 1616.

Text on this map notes that Sumatra is divided into two equal parts by the Equator, so that the days and nights are always the same length. It also notes that Java is ruled by the Dutch, though the Mataram Sultanate in central Java is also mentioned.

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.

Notes on the back of this map describe the kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia: religion (people are idolaters, a few Christians and Jews, many Muslims), royalty (kings are rich, people are unhappy) and geography (rivers render the lands fertile).

Notes on the back of this map describe the kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia: religion (people are idolaters, a few Christians and Jews, many Muslims), royalty (kings are rich, people are unhappy) and geography (rivers render the lands fertile).