Search

Early Latin map of Asia, with some inaccuracies: only a small part of Java (labelled ‘Iava Major’) is shown, the shape of Celebes (Sulawesi) is much simplified, and New Guinea is enlarged and distorted.

Early Latin map of Asia, with some inaccuracies: only a small part of Java (labelled ‘Iava Major’) is shown, the shape of Celebes (Sulawesi) is much simplified, and New Guinea is enlarged and distorted.

The many inaccuracies and omissions on this early map of Southeast Asia show the limitations of geographical knowledge at the time. There are some interesting details though, such as a legend listing the small islands in the Moluccas and Philippines.

The north coast of New Guinea is mapped here as it was discovered by the Dutch explorer Willem Corneliszoon Schouten. He is named on the map as Guillaume Schouten de Hoorn, known as the first to sail from Europe to the Pacific Ocean via Cape Horn.

The north coast of New Guinea is mapped here as it was discovered by the Dutch explorer Willem Corneliszoon Schouten. He is named on the map as Guillaume Schouten de Hoorn, known as the first to sail from Europe to the Pacific Ocean via Cape Horn.

Unusually, north is located to the right of this early 17th century map of the Maluku Islands, rather than the top. The scale is shown on a stone monument. French text on the reverse describes Java.

A map decorated with drawings of indigenous people, including from Southeast Asia: a Moluccan soldier with a helmet, sword and shield; a Javanese warrior with a spear and shield; a Sumatran woman holding a flower; and a Malaccan man with a sword.

This early 17th century map 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.

This early 17th century map of Asia by Jodocus Hondius was based on the earlier work of the Gerard Mercator. Hondius republished Mercator’s ‘Atlas’, with additional maps, which was instrumental in re-establishing Mercator’s reputation.

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.

This map shows some inaccuracies, especially in the shape of the Malay Peninsula and the islands meant to represent Sumatra (labelled ‘Camatra’), Java (‘Iava Mazor’) and Borneo (‘Iava Menor’). Latin text describes the Maluku Islands.

This early 17th century map by Jodocus Hondius 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.