Search

This 1883 map shows European colonial territories in Southeast Asia. An inset map details the proposed French annexation of Tonquin, Annam and Cochin China (modern Vietnam). International telegraph lines are also marked.

A late 19th century map depicting a route from Hanoi to That-Khe via Lang-Son (in northern Vietnam, near the border with China at Kouang-Si (Guangxi)). Two inset maps feature plans of military forts, villages, rivers and fields along the route.

Map of Borneo—with insets of Southeast Asia, Sarawak and Labuan—featuring temperature data, volcanoes, English colonial territory, products of Borneo, geology (rock types), bathymetry (sea depth) and elevations (side views of mountains with heights).

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show territorial regions in Asia from the 6th to the 9th centuries. Thailand is labelled 'Siang-koue' and Vietnam is 'Tschn-tschin'.

A late 18th century map of Asia published in London by John Bowles, with regions indicated by colour. Central Borneo is labelled ‘Part inhabited by the Biayos’, which is seen on many contemporary maps, often with the comment ‘a savage people’.

This 18th century map of Southeast Asia by the French cartographer Gilles Robert de Vaugondy features the national borders of the Philippines in green, and of modern Indonesia in yellow. The Malay Peninsula and modern Cambodia and Vietnam are in red.

This 18th century map of Southeast Asia by the French cartographer Gilles Robert de Vaugondy features the national borders of the Philippines in green, and of modern Indonesia in yellow. The Malay Peninsula and modern Cambodia and Vietnam are in red.

The London-based cartographer Herman Moll (1654?–1732) created this map of Asia in the early 18th century. There are five insets showing Asian trading cities, including of the ports of Batavia (Jakarta) and Bantam (Banten) in western Java.

The illustration on this map highlights the wealth of the Asian trade routes, with merchants wearing colourful and elaborate robes presenting valuable treasures to a royal figure. A monkey, tortoise and camel emphasise the 'exoticism' of Asia.

An 18th century map of the Netherlands, with an inset map of Southeast Asia highlighting the trade of the Dutch and their colonies. Within the inset is a drawing of the port of Batavia (Jakarta) with sailing ships in the harbour and mountains behind.