Philippine Islands

Philippine Islands, Vol. XVIII, Plate XI, p. 748
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Ninth Edition (1875–1889)

This engraved plate, titled “Philippine Islands”, appears as Plate XI in Volume XVIII of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Ninth Edition—widely regarded as one of the most scholarly and meticulously produced editions of the encyclopedia. Published in the late 19th century, this map reflects contemporary Western geographic knowledge of the Philippine archipelago during a period of growing global interest in Southeast Asia.

Rendered with precise line engraving typical of Britannica’s cartographic plates, the map delineates the principal islands, including Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Panay, and Negros, alongside numerous smaller islands that compose the archipelago. Political boundaries, major settlements, coastal features, and navigational channels are clearly marked, offering an authoritative reference for readers seeking insight into the region’s geography.

As an educational plate, it was designed to complement the encyclopedia’s extensive article on the Philippines, providing visual clarification of territorial divisions, transportation routes, and regional relationships. The map exemplifies the high production standards of the Ninth Edition, known for its scholarly rigor, durable binding, and quality illustrations.

Today, this plate holds value both as a cartographic artifact and as a historical document, illustrating late 19th-century Western perceptions of the Philippines on the eve of major geopolitical change.