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Maritime routes had to be adjusted in response to the changing monsoon seasons, as is seen on this late 18th century map of the Indian Ocean. Drawings of the heads of children blowing—called ‘wind-heads’—are used to indicate wind direction.

Two maps of the Indian Ocean showing currents (represented by arrows) and winds (represented by letters A to F) during the monsoon seasons. Three routes—one old and two new—from the Isle de France (Mauritius) east to the Strait of Malacca are shown.

This late 18th century map features a number of labels describing the local populations, including the Kemoys ('Savage People') of the mountains of Cokin China (Vietnam), the Biayos of Borneo, and the 'Wild People' of the mountains of Pegu (Myanmar).

Map of Asia, with mainland Southeast Asia in red and divided into ancient kingdoms, Sunda Islands in yellow, and the Philippines in grey. Twelve different scales are shown, as different countries used different measurement systems.

On this map of Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers: e.g. at this time, Benkulen (Bencoolen) on the west coast of Sumatra is British, and Malacca is Dutch.

Map of Asia, with mainland Southeast Asia in red and divided into ancient kingdoms, Sunda Islands in yellow, and the Philippines in grey. Twelve different scales are shown, as different countries used different measurement systems.

On this map of Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers: e.g. at this time, Benkulen (Bencoolen) on the west coast of Sumatra is British, and Malacca is Dutch.

This map of Asia features a decorative cartouche with drawings of two women—one with a cornucopia and one with a censer (incense burner)—and a French coat of arms. Interestingly, the map is dated 1792, during the French Revolution.

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.

A late 18th century map of Asia, with notes on the principal states, empires and kingdoms of Asia written in French on the right-hand side.

Map based on the expeditions of Jean-François de Surville, a merchant captain with the French East India Company. Some details are from the diary of the French Navy officer Théobald René, Comte de Kergariou-Locmaria, who explored the region in 1785.

Map based on the expeditions of Jean-François de Surville, a merchant captain with the French East India Company. Some details are from the diary of the French Navy officer Théobald René, Comte de Kergariou-Locmaria, who explored the region in 1785.