Piri Reis map celebrates 500th anniversary in London

Turkish Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Nihat Ergun attended the reception Thursday held to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Piri Reis map compiled in the year 1513. "Piri Reis served the humanity as well as all the sailors around the world," said Ergun "while at the the same time leaving a masterpiece to the world's cultural heritage." Speaking at the reception held at International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Ergun stressed Piri Reis map showing the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding continents contributed a lot to the cartography in the world. UNESCO decided on celebrating the year 2013 as the 500th anniversary of Piri Reis map, Ergun reminded. Touching on IMO's principles, Ergun said Turkey would keep on protecting and supporting the principle of "secure trade on clean oceans". Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General of IMO, stressed that Piri Reis map demonstrated Turkey's contribution to marine across the world. Piri Reis map is a world map compiled in 1513 by the Ottoman admiral and cartographer Piri Reis. The historical importance of the map lies in its demonstration of the extent of exploration of the New World in the 16th century. The map is currently located in the Library of the Topkap? Palace in Turkish province Istanbul.