Search

This map shows the Dutch colonial possessions in the East Indies in the mid-19th century. The text provides great detail about the people, religion, crops, animals, geography and administration of the Dutch East Indies.

This map of the Dutch East Indies is spread over eight sheets, with a hand-drawn cover sheet showing the whole area. There are numerous inset maps of islands, bays, cities etc. Two of the inset maps have a replacement map pasted over them.

This map of the city of Soerabaia (modern Surabaya, East Java) shows the Mas River flowing through the city, with wetlands near the coast, and fields, plantations and villages in the surrounding countryside. A 1931 reprint of an 1825 map.

Map of Java marked with administrative regions, settlements, roads, mountains and rivers. There is an inset map of the port city of Batavia, with its system of rivers and canals, and its surrounding country with villages, fields and plantations.

Map of Java marked with administrative regions, settlements, roads, mountains and rivers. There is an inset map of the port city of Batavia, with its system of rivers and canals, and its surrounding country with villages, fields and plantations.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: New Guinea is described as unknown to Europeans; Borneo was abandoned by Europeans due to the ‘unmanageability’ of the inhabitants; the Philippines were discovered by Spain in 1565.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: New Guinea is described as unknown to Europeans; Borneo was abandoned by Europeans due to the ‘unmanageability’ of the inhabitants; the Philippines were discovered by Spain in 1565.

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’).

This unusual map of Batavia in the late 18th century shows the port city as seen when approaching from the sea. The castle is depicted prominently as a three-dimensional drawing, with the rest of the city behind more flat like a plan.

Map of the Banda Islands—which was at this time the only source of nutmeg in the world—featuring mountains, plantations, settlements and a military fort. On the island of Goenong Api (Banda Api) a volcano erupts (‘api’ means ‘fire’ in Indonesian).

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: Sumatra is described as having mines of gold, silver, iron, and sulphur; and elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, dragons and crocodiles. Gilolo has rice, sago and turtles. Ambon has nutmeg.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: Sumatra is described as having mines of gold, silver, iron, and sulphur; and elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, dragons and crocodiles. Gilolo has rice, sago and turtles. Ambon has nutmeg.