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Shipping routes are the focus of this map of the Dutch East Indies, indicated by red lines labelled with the name of the shipping company and the destinations. Parcel shipping routes are also shown. Inset maps feature railway lines too.

The islands on this map were central to conflicts between the European powers over the valuable spice trade of the Maluku or ‘Spice’ Islands. A sea battle between European ships is shown, and there are military forts marked in red on the islands.

This mid-17th century Italian map shows the eastern islands of maritime Southeast Asia. Text on the map refers to winds (‘Venti’), currents (‘Corrente’) and air temperature (‘L'Aria è Calda e Humida [The air is hot and humid]’).