South Maluku
Ambon, Banda and Buru islands, and western Seram, were generally governed separately from eastern Seram. These islands were of intense interest to the European powers who sought access to (and then control of) the spice trade. The small Banda archipelago was the world’s only source of nutmeg.
Maps of South Maluku: Ambon, Banda
1724-1726 — Map of Ambon in the Moluccas, Valentijn, Oud en Nieuw Oost Indie, NSM B.0032_(109) GvN
1883-1885 — Map of Amboina Residency, KIT/LU KIT549255
