Historical Atlas of Southeast Asia

The importance of historical atlases has been recognized since the early 19th century. In practice, and following the general trend of historical scholarship, most atlases were concerned mainly with Europe and North America, while Asia's past was treated as no more than an incidental element in Western history. Today, however, a considerable greater interest in Asian history, as genuine Asian history is noticeable.

Historical Atlases on Asia
For most areas of Asia separate historical atlases do now exist. For the Middle East and the other parts of the Islamic world there are three: the Atlas of Islamic History by H.W. Hazard (Princeton 1951); the Historical Atlas of the Muslim Peoples by R. Roolvink (Amsterdam 1957); and An Historical Atlas of Islam edited by W.C. Brice (Leiden 1981). For China there is An Historical Atlas of China by Albert Herrman (Edinburgh-Chicago-Amsterdam 1966) and for South Asia A Historical Atlas of South Asia edited by Joseph E. Schwartzberg (Chicago 1978, Oxford 1992).
The only region of Asia for which a separate historical atlas has been missing so far is Southeast Asia. Those wanting to consult historical maps of this area had to make do with sketches in handbooks and monographs, or with occasional maps in some of the above- mentioned atlases, wherever these happen to digress into Southeast Asian history.
Meanwhile, South Asia has developed into a crucial area in the world (decolonization, Vietnam, ASEAN, economic growth), and with interest in its history constantly increasing, the need for an historical atlas of the region is more pressing than ever before.

Historical Atlas of Southeast Asia
Author of several books on Southeast Asian history and having been absorbed in an interest in maps and cartography for many years, Jan Pluvier, emeritus professor of Modern Asian History, University of Amsterdam, is ideally placed to be the author the first historical atlas of Southeast Asia.
His work, Historical Atlas of South-East Asia, was published by E.J. Brill, Leiden in September this year. It represents the historical development of Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines) from the earliest times to the present, in 64 large maps, all produced in full colour. The maps cover everything from the formation of states and empires, migration of peoples, trade routes, the rise and decline of colonialism, to political developments of the post-colonial era. The introduction to the atlas provides brief backgrounds to each of the individual maps: the emergence, decline and downfall of states and empires; territorial changes; border conflicts; expeditions; wars and so forth. Wherever relevant the sections of the introduction are followed by dynastic lists or lists of governors, presidents, prime-ministers and other dignitaries. Furthermore, there is a select bibliography arranged by geographical area, and two indexes -- one of personal names occurring in the text and one of geographical names in the maps and in the text.
The history of the Southeast Asian nations deserves to be studied in detailed by a great many people. This atlas will be an important help for those wishing to get familiar with that history.