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A mid-19th century map of Celebes (Sulawesi) and the Lesser Sunda Islands, divided into colour-coded administrative districts.

Map of the island of Soembawa (Sumbawa) featuring an inset map of the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, and an elevation showing heights of mountains. (From ‘Algemeene Atlas van Nederlandsche Indie [General Atlas of the Dutch East Indies]’.)

Although this map’s title refers to the south-western islands of the Banda Islands, it actually focuses on the Lesser Sunda Islands, including Flores, Sumba and Timor. The islands feature mountains and jungle, with shoals and reefs around the coasts.

Hand-drawn portolan (nautical) chart of the Lesser Sunda Islands, featuring a rhumbline network (the web of interconnected lines), shoals, reefs, elevations (side views of landmark mountains), and names of coastal settlements, all to aid navigation.