Street View of Gallipoli launched

From today Kiwis can make "virtual visits" to Gallipoli with new Google Street View imagery of the Turkish peninsula where the Anzacs landed.

Detailed, panoramic views of cemeteries at Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair are among the sites now visible on Street View, along with the seaside Anzac ceremonial area, where dawn services are held.

The tech giant said it mapped Gallipoli with high resolution imagery of the area's significant sites using Trekker, a wearable camera which allowed imagery to be gathered on foot.

Google New Zealand spokesman Ross Young said the collection of new images meant the tyranny of distance would no longer stop New Zealanders seeing Gallipoli.

"Google is committed to mapping not just our towns and cities, but also sites of historical and geographic significance. For Kiwis, Gallipoli is an incredibly important place so it was a natural addition to Street View."

Returned and Services Association chief executive David Moger said the images brought Gallipoli and New Zealand closer together.

"Gallipoli is a place of great significance to New Zealanders, and the memorials and cemeteries there serve as a reminder of the great sacrifice made by our Anzacs," Mr Moger said.

Google said it worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, New Zealand Embassy, and Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism to collect and release the imagery on Street View and publish an image and exhibit archive on the Google Cultural Institute.

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