Indiae Orientalis et Insularium Adiacentium Antiqua et Nova Descriptio

Combining old and new across the Far East.

Though it was published in the early 18th century, this map of Southeast Asia depicts toponyms and geographic information from sources dating to decades or even centuries prior. Commercial interests across the region by European powers restricted the flow of reliable data to cartographers back West, and outdated representations would persist well into the 1700s.

Place names reflect an interesting mix of indigenous settlements and European colonies, such as Bantam and Batavia on Java (Dutch) and scattered Portuguese settlements along the western coast of India. Korea is described as an island (a popular misconception) and China is left almost entirely vacant, with the exception of two gigantic lakes.

The decorative cartouche in the lower right adds further to the ‘exotic’ nature of the region. A native holds a wild dog or hyena on a chain, while an elephant glares immediately adjacent.

The map was published in London by John Nicholson in 1711 as part of Philip Cluver’s Introductio in Universam Geographiam. First published in 1624, the massive six-volume geography work proved so popular that it was replicated in numerous versions and languages over more than a century.