An old black and white map of the Sunda Strait.

A very rare chart of the Sunda Strait – located between the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java – from 1602 has recently been added to our collection. This chart was created by the cartographer Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer (c. 1534 – 1606).

Explore the Sunda Strait map in Trove

An old black and white map of the Sunda Strait.
Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer, Afconterfeytinge van die strate oft engde van Sunda, tusschen Sumatra en Iava in Oost Indien, als oock die baye oft rede voor Bantam die hooft-stadt van Iava, tesamen met alle hare eylanden, clippen, ondiepten en sanden, alles nae t' leven net afgetogen, c.1602, nla.obj-3444420153

Waghenaer was a notable figure of the Golden Age of Dutch mapmaking, known for his pioneering contributions to nautical cartography. Waghenaer’s charts were not only effective but also fantastically decorated with pictures of navigational symbols, tidal details, landmarks, ships and even a sea monster. Despite some imperfections, the chart was impressively accurate for its day and is engraved with Waghenaer's usual finesse and elegance.

Zoomed in detail of the illustrations on a black and white map of the Sunda Strait.
Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer, Afconterfeytinge van die strate oft engde van Sunda, tusschen Sumatra en Iava in Oost Indien, als oock die baye oft rede voor Bantam die hooft-stadt van Iava, tesamen met alle hare eylanden, clippen, ondiepten en sanden, alles nae t' leven net afgetogen (detail), c.1602, nla.obj-3444420153

The need for maps and navigational aids during the late 16th and early 17th centuries was significant as the Dutch had become obsessed with Southeast Asian spices in their food, wines and perfumes. Control of the area allowed the Dutch to avoid conflict with the Portuguese, to quickly reach Bantam and the Spice Islands, and was also one of the prime reasons Dutch vessels reached the Australian continent and mapped it.

The zoomed in detail of the land elements of a black and white map of the Sunda Strait.
Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer, Afconterfeytinge van die strate oft engde van Sunda, tusschen Sumatra en Iava in Oost Indien, als oock die baye oft rede voor Bantam die hooft-stadt van Iava, tesamen met alle hare eylanden, clippen, ondiepten en sanden, alles nae t' leven net afgetogen (detail), c.1602, nla.obj-3444420153

Waghenaer's charts are seen as brilliant productions which presented, for the first time, a detailed chart of a strategic and significant parcel of Indonesian shores. This chart is a great resource for those interested in Dutch cartography and complements later charts in the Library’s collection by providing further context to Dutch expansion and activity in Indonesia.  

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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