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The mountains and forests of early 18th century Java are beautifully illustrated here by the Dutch cartographer Henry Abraham Chatelain (1648-1743). Details include cities, fields of crops, animals and people. An inset map shows the port of Batavia.

This map showcases the colonial territories of Southeast Asia in the 18th century, with text detailing trading information and the products of each region. There are five inset maps featuring plans of specific trading ports.

This early 18th century maritime map charts the waters of the Straits of Sunda, between the islands of Java and Sumatra. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), both used to aid navigation.

A map of Java with mountains, jungles, animals and crops. Bathymetry (sea depth) is marked, including on an inset map of Batavia harbour. Illustrations include Batavia Castle, and a lion—representing Belgium—receiving tribute and enslaving locals.

This early 18th century map of Batavia (Jakarta) shows an important port city, with military forts, a long pier, and many ships at sea. However, the map also shows a city surrounded by fields and plantations, for producing crops and grazing animals.

This early 19th century map is from a book titled ‘Mr. John Nieuhoff's Voyages’ in which the author reports on his travels to Southeast Asia, including a detailed description of the important port city of Batavia, as shown on the map.

An 18th century map of the Netherlands, with an inset map of Southeast Asia highlighting the trade of the Dutch and their colonies. Within the inset is a drawing of the port of Batavia (Jakarta) with sailing ships in the harbour and mountains behind.

Six drawings of bays, including the Bay of Tiku (‘Rade de Ticou’) on the west coast of Sumatra, showing Tiku between the mountains Pagaman and Priaman. Two other drawings are marked ‘Poulo Clauis’ and are possibly bays on the coast of Aceh, Sumatra.

This map of India and Southeast Asia—or ‘Indiae Orientalis [East Indies]’ as it was called at the time—was published in a book documenting the travels of the German scholar and geographer Adam Olearius (1599–1671).

Map of the Banda Islands from Vicenzo Coronelli's ‘Corso Geografico Universale’, including a volcano on Gunappi (Banda Api), and a military fort on Nera (Banda Neira). Italian text describes the crops, trade, animals and people of the Maluku Islands.

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Ville de Siam’), surrounded by the Menam River (Chao Phraya River). Roads and buildings are marked, including a number of royal palaces and pagodas, which are listed on the Dutch and French-language legend.

Map of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya (‘Ville de Siam’), surrounded by the Menam River (Chao Phraya River). Roads and buildings are marked, including a number of royal palaces and pagodas, which are listed on the Dutch and French-language legend.