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A mid-19th century German map of mainland Southeast Asia showing a mixture of ancient kingdoms (e.g. Cochin-China), administrative districts (Malay States) and colonial possessions (Straits Settlements). Extensive mountainous areas are also featured.

Although this mid-19th century map covers all of mainland Southeast Asia, the Burman Empire (Myanmar) is shown in greater detail, especially its districts, rivers and place names. It was produced by the James Wyld, geographer to Queen Victoria.

Regional borders are colour-coded on this mid-19th century map of mainland Southeast Asia, with British colonial territory in red (including part of the Burman Empire, the Straits Settlements, and Sarawak on Borneo).

A late 18th century maritime map of Southeast Asia, marked with expedition routes including the return of Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour from Australia in 1770, and Captain Philip Carteret’s circumnavigation expedition in 1768.

On this late 18th century map, the modern nation states of mainland Southeast Asia can be seen emerging: Myanmar (here labelled Ava), Laos, Vietnam (Tong-King and Cochinchine), Cambodia (Camboge), Thailand (Siam) and Malaysia (Malaca).

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

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’.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the English cartographer John Senex, featuring labels noting details of the inhabitants of some areas e.g. on Borneo: ‘The Middle of this Isle is Inhabited by a People call’d Beaujous Idolaters’.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the English cartographer John Senex, featuring labels noting details of the inhabitants of some areas e.g. on Borneo: ‘The Middle of this Isle is Inhabited by a People call’d Beaujous Idolaters’.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726). Regions are indicated with coloured borders, and the southern part of Borneo is labelled ‘Côte de Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’.

Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula feature on this map of the Indian Ocean. Enganno Island, west of southern Sumatra, has a label that translates as ‘inhabited by very pernicious savages’. An inset map depicts the Madura Strait between Java and Madura.