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Map of East Asia, with British colonial possessions—Burma, Straits Settlements, Labuan and British North Borneo—highlighted with red borders. There is also an inset map of the Red River (Hong River) running through Hanoi, Vietnam.

Two maritime routes—for use during the North-east and ‘fair’ monsoons—are shown on this late 19th century navigation map. The routes lead north through Southeast Asia, passing the Philippines, and ending in Hong Kong. Bathymetry (sea depth) is shown.

A series of four maps of the Indian Ocean—one for each quarter of the calendar year—showing the direction and intensity of the winds, including around the seas of Southeast Asia. There are extensive explanatory notes.

Produced by the British Admiralty’s Hydrographic Office, this map includes various navigational aids, such as maritime routes, bathymetry (sea depth), tide and current data, and elevations (side views of hills and mountains to use as landmarks).

Map of the Minahasa and East peninsulas of Celebes (Sulawesi) focusing on the road system (shown by red lines). There are four inset maps, including one showing indigenous tribal areas, and a list of places with their latitude, longitude and height.

A late 19th century map of the town of Malacca and its surrounding area, including jungles, forests, mountains, rivers, roads, villages, tapioca estates and factories, and police stations. There is even a leper hospital on an island off the coast.

Hand-drawn map of the roadstead—a body of water sheltered from tides/currents, for ships to anchor—at Analaboe (Meulaboh) on the west coast of northern Sumatra. Bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs, and an anchor point are marked.

This late 19th century map of Southeast Asia shows the best maritime routes around the region, according to the time of year. There are also inset maps highlighting the rivers and southern islands of Singapore, and the sea depth around Labuan Island.

Small notes on this map of Burmah (Myanmar) describe mines, crops and products produced, names of local tribes etc. e.g.: ‘a passage to Rangoon in the wet season’, ‘Ship of 400 tons built here’, ‘Alompra’s birth place’, ‘Gold dust in the streams’.

A map of proposed trade routes through Burmah (modern Myanmar) intended to connect China to India and Europe. The border between India and Burmah is marked as being ‘unexplored’ and ‘undefined’. A table lists the distances between various cities.

A map of the administrative divisions of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. The mountains of western Sumatra and the central Malay Peninsula are represented by hachures: short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain.

Two maps of the Dutch East Indies, decorated with drawings of local people and animals. Dutch colonial territory and local sultanates and provinces are highlighted. The heights of Java’s mountains and settlements are displayed in an elevation view.