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This 1819 map, titled "East India Isles & Australia," presents a geographical depiction of Southeast Asia, the East Indies, Australia, and the surrounding Pacific Islands. Published during the early 19th century, this map reflects the European understanding of the region at the time, with notable features such as colonial place names, exploratory annotations, and delineations of landmasses which were often only partially explored and mapped.
The map highlights the East Indies (modern-day Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines), Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, with additional coverage extending into the western Pacific. Australia is labeled "New Holland" in the western and northern regions, while the eastern part is marked "New South Wales," reflecting British territorial claims. The division suggests the influence of British colonization, particularly after the establishment of Sydney in 1788 as a penal colony.
New Guinea is labeled as "New Guinea", while New Zealand is identified with its two principal islands (the south island being below the neatline). The map also includes numerous islands in the South Pacific, such as the Solomon Islands, the Carolines, and the Marquesas, many of which were sites of European exploration and expanding colonial influence.
This map was produced during a time of intensifying European exploration, trade, and colonization in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. The British, Dutch, and Spanish were vying for dominance in the region, reflected in the European names given to many islands and coastal features. The Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia) is clearly delineated, with Java, Sumatra, and Borneo labeled prominently. The Malay Peninsula and the surrounding regions are also featured, emphasizing their importance in trade routes.
In Australia, the map captures early European knowledge of the continent. Explorers such as James Cook and Matthew Flinders had significantly contributed to mapping the eastern and southern coastlines, yet the interior remains largely uncharted, indicating the extent to which exploration was still ongoing.
![[Philippine Islands, Taiwan, etc] Partie des Isles Philippines; Partie de la Chine; Partie de L'Ile Gilolo; Partie de L'Isle Borneo](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/93579.jpg)
