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Map of maritime Southeast Asia, with four inset maps of locations in the region: Surabaya, some of the Lesser Sumba Islands, and Buton and Muna islands of the coast of Sulawesi. Mountains, forests, settlements and fields are represented pictorially.

The title of this mid-18th century map translates as ‘Asia following the latest observations of the Muscovites/Russians’. Written notes in French list the regions, islands, empires, kingdoms, colonial possessions, religions and languages of Asia.

The coast of New Guinea (‘Nouvelle Guinée’) is represented in part by a dotted line on this mid-18th century map, indicating that the exact coastlines were unknown at this time. The western tip is labelled ‘C. de Bonne Esperance [Cape of Good Hope]’.

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]’.

The regional borders of early 18th century Southeast Asia are shown on this map. Mountains are shown pictorially, and larger settlements are marked with a red building symbol. Southern Borneo is labelled ‘Pays des Mahometans [Land of the Muslims]’.

The regional borders of early 18th century Southeast Asia are shown on this map. Mountains are shown pictorially, and larger settlements are marked with a red building symbol. Southern Borneo is labelled ‘Pays des Mahometans [Land of the Muslims]’.

The southern coast of Borneo is labelled ‘Cote des Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’. A note next to the Philippines states that they were discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520 and are comprised of about 11,000 islands.

The southern coast of Borneo is labelled ‘Cote des Mahometans [Coast of the Muslims]’. A note next to the Philippines states that they were discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520 and are comprised of about 11,000 islands.

This map features maritime routes: between Siam and Batavia; and five routes of the explorers Juan Gaetan and Olivier du Nord (dated 1542) east of the Philippines. The cartouche has a colourful illustration of Asian people in traditional costume.

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 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]’.

This map uses coloured borders to show the ancient kingdoms of Southeast Asia. A label on the island of Borneo states ‘Beajous Idolatres habitans le milieu de l'Isle [Beajous idolaters inhabit the middle of the Island]’.