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This map of mainland Southeast Asia features short texts noting mines, trade routes and travel times (‘5 to 7 days on Elephants’), history (‘conquered by the King of Siam 1809’), peoples (‘states tributary to the Chinese’) and products (‘Tea Tree’).

To aid navigation, this map shows small islands, shoals and reefs, maritime routes for use during monsoons or at particular times of the year, bathymetry (sea depth), tide information, shipwrecks, compass roses and landmark mountains at the coasts.

Map of the Indian Ocean showing the currents (represented by arrows), including during the North East and North West monsoons. Numbers on the arrows indicate the current’s speed.

Chart of the Indian Ocean, showing climate and weather-related data, including around the seas and straits of Southeast Asia where trade routes are marked, along with monsoon and typhoon regions, and currents during the different monsoon seasons.

Chart of the Pacific Ocean, showing climate and weather-related data, including around the seas and straits of eastern Southeast Asia where maritime trade routes are marked, along with monsoon regions, ocean temperatures and currents.

A world map showing winds, hurricanes and typhoons, including trade winds, calms, typhoon, monsoon and hurricane regions in Southeast Asia. An inset map shows the approach of the Rodriguez Hurricane towards Java in 1843.

A world map, including Southeast Asia, showing rainfall information (darker shading indicates greater rainfall). Southeast Asia lies in the ‘Zone of the Periodical Rains’, and is marked with monsoons and ‘Electrical Explosions’.

To aid navigation, this map shows small islands, shoals and reefs, maritime routes for use during monsoons or at particular times of the year, bathymetry (sea depth), past explorers’ routes, shipwrecks and text about monsoons, typhoons and currents.

Maritime routes had to be adjusted in response to the changing monsoon seasons, as is seen on this late 18th century map of the Indian Ocean. Drawings of the heads of children blowing—called ‘wind-heads’—are used to indicate wind direction.

Two maps of the Indian Ocean showing currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented by letters A to F) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes—one old and two new—from the Isle de France (Mauritius) east to the Strait of Malacca are shown.

Map of the Indian Ocean showing the currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented with letters A to G) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes from the Isle de France (Mauritius) around the Indian Ocean are shown.

Map dedicated to William Cowper, whose coat of arms sits atop the cartouche. It features two horses holding a crest with three martlets (mythical birds used in heraldry). The cartouche also features Asian traders. Monsoons are marked on the map.