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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’.

Hand-drawn coloured borders have been added to this map to distinguish various regions: mainland Southeast Asia and most of the islands of maritime Southeast Asia are bordered in green, with Borneo and the Philippines in red.

Map of Asia featuring an early—and very vague—depiction of New Britain (‘Nieuw Brittanje’) which was named by the British explorer William Dampier when he visited in 1700. The ‘Straat van Dampier’ is also shown, dividing New Britain from New Guinea.

Map of Asia featuring an early—and very vague—depiction of New Britain (‘Nieuw Brittanje’) which was named by the British explorer William Dampier when he visited in 1700. The ‘Straat van Dampier’ is also shown, dividing New Britain from New Guinea.

This map of the Eastern Hemisphere was designed to show maritime routes from the Netherlands to Southeast Asia. It shows New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Hollande’) as one landmass, connected via an area labelled ‘Karpentarie’.

This map of the Eastern Hemisphere was designed to show maritime routes from the Netherlands to Southeast Asia. It shows New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Hollande’) as one landmass, connected via an area labelled ‘Karpentarie’.

This map of the Eastern Hemisphere was designed to show maritime routes from the Netherlands to Southeast Asia. It shows New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Hollande’) as one landmass, connected via an area labelled ‘Karpentarie’.

This map of the Eastern Hemisphere was designed to show maritime routes from the Netherlands to Southeast Asia. It shows New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Hollande’) as one landmass, connected via an area labelled ‘Karpentarie’.

This map of the Eastern Hemisphere was designed to show maritime routes from the Netherlands to Southeast Asia. It shows New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Hollande’) as one landmass, connected via an area labelled ‘Karpentarie’.

Map of Asia showing New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Holland’) as one landmass, demonstrating that there was some uncertainty about the area’s geography in the early 18th century. However, it does include New Britain (‘N. Bretanje’).

Map of Asia showing New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Holland’) as one landmass, demonstrating that there was some uncertainty about the area’s geography in the early 18th century. However, it does include New Britain (‘N. Bretanje’).

Map of Asia showing New Guinea (‘Nieuw Guinee’) and Australia (‘Nieuw Holland’) as one landmass, demonstrating that there was some uncertainty about the area’s geography in the early 18th century. However, it does include New Britain (‘N. Bretanje’).