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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 mid-18th century map of Asia has colour-coded regions, with mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sunda Islands bordered in blue, and India in red.

This mid-18th century map features labels noting the local populations, including the Kemois of the mountains and deserts of Cochinchinae (Vietnam) and the Byayos of Borneo. The map’s cartouche is embellished with maritime and military paraphernalia.

This mid-18th century map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain.

The London-based cartographer Herman Moll (1654?–1732) created this map of Asia in the early 18th century. There are five insets showing Asian trading cities, including of the ports of Batavia (Jakarta) and Bantam (Banten) in western Java.

A map of Southeast Asia by the London-based cartographer Herman Moll (1654?–1732) with hand-coloured regional borders. The north coast of Borneo is labelled ‘A Desart [desert] Coast’, while the south is labelled ‘Pepper Country’.

Map of the Indian Ocean dominated by a rhumbline network—a web of interconnected lines used to help plot routes—with a compass rose at the centre. At the top there are (incomplete) drawings of people with text in Dutch, French, English and Spanish.

The cartouche on this late 17th century map of Asia features an illustration of Asian traders negotiating a deal. In the background, their workers carry packages and tend to a camel.

The cartouche on this late 17th century map of Asia features an illustration of Asian traders negotiating a deal. In the background, their workers carry packages and tend to a camel.

Colourful map of the East Indies focusing on maritime navigation: there is a compass rose at the centre of a rhumbline network (a web of lines to help plot routes). Shoals, reefs and islands are also marked.

Colourful map of the East Indies focusing on maritime navigation: there is a compass rose at the centre of a rhumbline network (a web of lines to help plot routes). Shoals, reefs and islands are also marked.

A map by the influential London cartographer, Herman Moll (1654?—1732), showing Southeast Asia in the context of the wider Asian region. Interestingly, the Strait of Malacca is labelled as the ‘Str. of Sincapora’ (Straits of Singapore).