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This 1883 map shows European colonial territories in Southeast Asia. An inset map details the proposed French annexation of Tonquin, Annam and Cochin China (modern Vietnam). International telegraph lines are also marked.

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 late 19th century map depicting a route from Hanoi to That-Khe via Lang-Son (in northern Vietnam, near the border with China at Kouang-Si (Guangxi)). Two inset maps feature plans of military forts, villages, rivers and fields along the route.

A map of Southeast Asia coloured to indicate the five different language families spoken in the region in the late 19th century. Names of indigenous tribes/languages are marked in red text, with European colonial possessions in grey.

A hand drawn map showing mountains, rivers, roads and settlements in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula belonging to Siam (Thailand). This map was copied from one made by the Siamese government in 1870.

This geological map of the district of Toboali (Bangka Island, east of Sumatra) uses colours to depict types of rocks, soils and minerals. Tin mining areas are also highlighted.

A map of Siam (Thailand) and parts of Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia and Laos, focusing on the river networks, and the mountain ranges which are represented by hachures: short lines/dashes that give a sense of the shape and steepness of terrain.

This map of mainland Southeast Asia has colour-coded borders: Burmah (Myanmar) in red, Siam (Thailand) in brown, and Anam (Vietnam) in green. The British territory of Penang is also bordered in red. Independent areas are bordered in grey.

On this hand-drawn and coloured map of Asia, the colours differentiate the colonial territories of the European powers: for example, New Guinea is divided into Dutch, British and German areas, and Borneo is split between the British and Dutch.

Designed to aid navigation around the western Java Sea, this map features bathymetry (sea depth), current and tide data, and is marked with shoals, reefs and other hazards. Written notes add details at specific locations (e.g. ‘heavy tide rips’).

This mid-19th century map of Asia has colour-coded borders that show the beginnings of the emergence of the modern nation states of Southeast Asia, such as Laos, Burmah (Burma), Siam (Thailand) and Malaya (Malaysia).

A sketch of the river networks discharging into the Gulf of Siam (Gulf of Thailand), derived from the observations of mid-19th century American missionaries. Settlements along the rivers are noted, as are areas where sugarcane was grown.