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This map of India and Southeast Asia—or ‘Indiae Orientalis [East Indies]’ as it was called at the time—was published in a book documenting the travels of the German scholar and geographer Adam Olearius (1599–1671).

Originally published in Gerardus Mercator's ‘Atlas Sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figura’ (1595), the title of which was the first use of the word ‘atlas’ to refer to a collection of maps. This is a 1630 reprint.

Although quite detailed for an early 17th century map of Asia, there are some inaccuracies in the representation of the islands of Southeast Asia, particularly Java (labelled 'Iaua maior'), Borneo (Burne), Sulawesi (Celebes) and the Maluku Islands.

Although quite detailed for an early 17th century map of Asia, there are some inaccuracies in the representation of the islands of Southeast Asia, particularly Java (labelled 'Iaua maior'), Borneo (Burne), Sulawesi (Celebes) and the Maluku Islands.

Rivers and major settlements are the main feature of this colourful early map of Asia. Italian text gives further details about the region.

This 1550 map by the German cartographer Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was based on the work of the 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. There are many inaccuracies, especially in scale and the locations of mountain ranges, but the region is recognisable.

This 1550 map by the German cartographer Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was based on the work of the 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. There are many inaccuracies, especially in scale and the locations of mountain ranges, but the region is recognisable.

This 1550 map by the German cartographer Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was based on the work of the 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. There are many inaccuracies, especially in scale and the locations of mountain ranges, but the region is recognisable.

This 1550 map by the German cartographer Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was based on the work of the 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. There are many inaccuracies, especially in scale and the locations of mountain ranges, but the region is recognisable.

This 1540 map by the German cartographer Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was based on the work of the 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. On the reverse, there is Latin text giving details of the area, including crops grown.