Through the use of historical maps the author outlines the history of the Pacific. Topics covered include: the first colonizations; the movements of the Polynesians; the voyages of Magellan and the Elizabethan circumnavigators Drake and Cavendish; Tasman's discovery of Tasmania, New Zealand and Fiji; Cook and the mapping of Australia, the discovery of Hawaii and exploration of the Arctic; Perry opening up Japan in the mid 19th century; the age of colonialism; war in the Pacific 1941-1945; the last five maps will deal with post-war events and will examine the present power of the Pacific rim.