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Map from Johannes Olivier’s book ‘Land- en Zeetogten in Nederland's Indie [Land and Sea Journeys in the Dutch Indies]’, showing European colonial possessions and indigenous kingdoms in Asia.

To aid navigation, this map shows small islands, shoals and reefs, maritime routes for use during monsoons or at particular times of the year, bathymetry (sea depth), past explorers’ routes, shipwrecks and text about monsoons, typhoons and currents.

This map marks the locations of Baptist missionary stations in Asia, including at Ava, Rangoon, Java and Amboyna (Ambon) in Southeast Asia. The station at Java also has a school. The map’s legend lists the stations’ dates of foundation.

This map marks the locations of Baptist missionary stations in Asia, including at Ava, Rangoon, Java and Amboyna (Ambon) in Southeast Asia. The station at Java also has a school. The map’s legend lists the stations’ dates of foundation.

Map focusing on the passages between the islands of maritime Southeast Asia used to travel between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Includes the Strait of Malacca, many straits between the Sunda Islands, and a route through the Maluku Islands.

Map focusing on the passages between the islands of maritime Southeast Asia used to travel between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Includes the Strait of Malacca, many straits between the Sunda Islands, and a route through the Maluku Islands.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show the colonial possessions of the European powers—Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, France, Britain and Denmark—at the end of the 17th century.

Map focusing on the passages between the islands of maritime Southeast Asia. Many 18th century routes are labelled with the ship/captain’s name and date, and there are notes on some shoals and reefs recording names, details and incidents/shipwrecks.

Map focusing on the passages between the islands of maritime Southeast Asia. Many 18th century routes are labelled with the ship/captain’s name and date, and there are notes on some shoals and reefs recording names, details and incidents/shipwrecks.

Longitude is indicated in two different ways on this mid-18th century map: along the top border, it is shown in degrees (number of degrees east of London); more unusually, along the bottom border, it is shown in time (number of hours east of London).

A late 18th century map of Asia with regions divided by colour-coded borders, and detailing rivers, mountains, reefs and shoals.

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’.