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Early 17th century map of Asia, with annotations in Latin naming the major countries, islands and cities. Maritime Southeast Asia is shown as an archipelago of many small islands. Latin text on the reverse describes the region.

Early map of Asia featuring a number of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China, and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia. Text describes the world divided into four or five regions.

Early map of Asia featuring a number of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China, and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia. Text describes the world divided into four or five regions.

The island of Java was initially labelled on this map as ‘Iaua Minor’ (Java Minor), but this was altered to ‘Iaua Maior’ (Java Major), reflecting the common confusion over the names at the time. Sumatra and Borneo were both similarly mis-labelled.

Latin text written on New Guinea explains that it is uncertain whether it is an island or part of ‘Australis’ (‘southern land’) a name that was used for a continent thought to exist in the region (and after which Australia was eventually named).

A map of Sumatra featuring villages, mountains and rivers; text describing the island; and a drawing of a man riding an elephant. The title uses the name ‘Taprobana’ for Sumatra, stating it was a name used by ‘ancient geographers [alten geographen]’.

A map of Sumatra featuring villages, mountains and rivers; text describing the island; and a drawing of a man riding an elephant. The title uses the name ‘Taprobana’ for Sumatra, stating it was a name used by ‘ancient geographers [alten geographen]’.

This early German map of Asia is colour-coded by region, and features a brief description of Asia in blackletter German text. Interestingly, the Southeast Asian island of Sumatra is labelled 'Taprobana' which is the name the Greeks called Sri Lanka.

This late 16th/early 17th century map by Abraham Ortelius features a number of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China—including ‘Cayamay Lacus’—and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.

A banner at the right features text that notes that the ‘Insule Molucce’ (Maluku Islands) are famous for their abundance of spices, which are sold across the world. There are also Illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters wrecking a ship.

A banner at the right features text that notes that the ‘Insule Molucce’ (Maluku Islands) are famous for their abundance of spices, which are sold across the world. There are also Illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters wrecking a ship.

A colourful 16th century map by André Thevet, with illustrations of ships and sea monsters around the seas of Southeast Asia. The map's scale is decorated with cartography tools such as rulers and a compass.