On the discovery of the New World, Spain began a major effort to learn the geography of the entire world. Other countries also began such efforts. One such county, Turkey, stands out as notable.

The Turkish (Ottoman) sultan Bayazid II wanted to expand of the Ottoman Empire to include much of Europe. To do so he needed as much military information and maps as possible — especially those of recent explorations.

One appointment to that end was Kermal Reis , with wide experience of Mediterranean waters, as Admiral. His nephew, Piri Reis, was also invited to join … also as admiral.

Throughout his naval career Piri Reis collected charts, made notes, and sketched maps of the islands and coastlines he visited. After his uncle’s death, he created a map including the New World (1513), claiming to use a map drawn by Columbus himself. Reis also claims to have used many other scholarly sources. His inclusion of highly accurate details of Antarctica, as it would look without the ice cover (?), is most amazing and puzzling, and has encouraged stories of space alien visitors.

His map, called the Piri Reis map, is the key map in a magnificent collection assembled by the Turks.

The Karpeles Manuscript Library preserves a large archive of these hand-drawn illustrated maps. They include copies of Columbus’ maps. Also included are maps representing the False Sea of Verranzano and the track of Magellan’s voyage around the world. Some of the maps include drawings of animals found in all parts the world, drawings of the Great Wall of China, and even drawings of the European heroes of the Holy Crusades; King Richard the Lion-Hearted, King Phillip Augustus and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.