Search

A nautical chart of the Indian Ocean showing bathymetry (sea depth), including in great detail around the seas and straits of Southeast Asia.

This map of Java uses hachures: short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain. The coast is marked with shoals and reefs (dotted lines and crosses), bathymetry (sea depth, in figures) and anchor points (anchor symbols).

Chart of maritime Southeast Asia, showing bathymetry (sea depth), islands, shoals, reefs, landmarks, and notes (‘Rock seen at Low Water’), all to aid navigation. A rhumbline network has been drawn on the map in pencil. Only one sheet is present.

Chart of maritime Southeast Asia, showing bathymetry (sea depth), islands, shoals, reefs, landmarks, and notes (‘Rock seen at Low Water’), all to aid navigation. A rhumbline network has been drawn on the map in pencil. Only one sheet is present.

This mid-17th century map of Southeast Asia is from Isaac Commelin’s book describing the voyages of the Dutch East India Company ‘Begin ende voortgangh…’. There is an inset map of the island of Botton (Buton Island, southeast of Celebes (Sulawesi)).