How to Read a Map & Compass
In the digital age GPS mapping devices are beginning to replace traditional means of navigation. However, you still need to know how to read a map and a compass. For example, sometimes your GPS device may run out of battery power or sometimes the GPS system may fail to direct you to the correct location.
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Instructions
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1
Look at the map and find the legend. The legend displays the symbols for man-made and geographical features on the map, and there is generally a rectangular box around it.
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2
Look for the direction indicator on the map. The direction can be shaped like a triangle or a multi-pointed star. Minimally, the letter "N" will be labeled, signifying north, but sometimes the other three directions will be indicated, too. Sometimes the direction is part of the legend, but other times it is placed somewhere else. You may notice that the direction looks a bit like a compass, because they both rely on north, south, west and east to position themselves.
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3
Recognize how the map is oriented. Though many maps are drawn so the top part is north and the bottom is south, this is not always the case. Study the orientation and turn your map until north is at the top and south is at the bottom. The western border will be on your left and the eastern border on your right.
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4
Familiarize yourself with the features of the map. See if you can find where you are on the map. Start by identifying general areas on the map that you recognize: these could be states, counties or towns that you know are nearby or geographical features like a mountain, river or lake that is familiar to you. Keep studying the map, finding more and more familiar features until you find where you are.
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5
Take out your compass, stand still and place it on a flat surface. If you are using a compass and a map, lay the map out flat, positioned as advised in Step 4, and put the compass facing up next to the orientation.
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6
Find north, south, east and west on the compass. Turn it until the face is positioned to match the map in front of you, or, if you only have the compass, so that north is pointing away from you and south is pointing toward you.
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7
Look at the needle on the compass. Most compasses have a red point to the needle, which always points north. Turn the map and compass around on the flat surface until the red compass needle lines up with the "N" on the compass face. Now you know that directly in front of you is north, directly behind you is south, to your left is west and to your right is east.
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References
- Photo Credit map and compass image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
