Read a Map

If you want to know how to get from point A to point B without getting lost (and your GPS is on the fritz), no need to ask for directions: just pull out your trusty (and probably dusty) map! Knowing how to read a map isn't difficult. The symbols, topography lines and direction helpers all might require a little understanding, but the answers are all right there! We'll show you how to find the key to finding your way!

Steps

Choosing the Right Map

  1. Choose the right map. A wide variety of maps are available for a wide variety of uses.
    • For example, there are road maps for drivers with highways and byways.
    • Tourist maps for sightseeing, with famous landmarks or conspicuous celebrities.
    • Topographic maps for hikers maps maps for hikers or back country, featuring paths and campgrounds.
    • Sectionals, or maps for pilots that feature air routes, terminal areas, plus landmarks and tall things that planes would be wise to avoid.
    • A good general free online map for certain parts of the world is Google Maps. However, this may not be available to you when needed, so it's important to learn how to read printed maps too.

Understanding the Map

  1. Check the map's orientation. Most maps are drawn with north located at the top.
    • Sometimes this may be depicted using a compass rose. Or, it might simply be stated to be the assumption of the map. If there is no indication to the contrary, presume it is north at the top.
  2. Understand the scale of the map. The map scale shows you a ratio of map distance to real distance. These differ in size from map to map. Look for the scale, generally located on the side or bottom of the map. It will look something like 1:100,000, which denotes that 1 unit on the map is the equivalent of 100,000 units in real life. In general, the following scales work best as stated:
    • Get a 1:25,000 map for walking
    • Get a 1:190,000 map for driving
    • Get a 1:24,000,000 map for seeing the whole world.
    • To determine how far your destination is, use a ruler and the scale to measure how many miles it is from point A to B.
    • For example, if your map's scale is 1:250,000, and the distance from point A to point B is 6 inches (15.2 cm), the total distance is 6 * 250,000 = 1,500,000 inches (3,810,000 cm). One mile is 63,360 inches, so the distance from point A to point B is 1,500,000 ÷ 63,360 = 23.7 miles (1 kilometer is 100,000 cm, so the distance from point A to point B is 3,810,000 ÷ 100,000, or 38.1 km).
  3. Note the latitude and longitude. If you're traveling to the next town, this isn't so important. But if you are sailing, flying, or touring long distances, this might be useful.
    • The latitude refers to the distance in degrees north or south of the equator.
    • The longitude refers to the distance in degrees east or west of the Greenwich Meridian Line.
    • Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, with each minute representing a nautical mile (or 1.15 land miles/1.85km). This means that one degree is the equivalent of 60 nautical miles or 69 land miles/111km.
    • The latitude is represented by the numbers on the side of the map.
    • The longitude is represented by the numbers at the top and bottom of the map.
      • Where the latitude and longitude cross at your location is your point of reference.
      • Latitude and longitude points are often used when there are no landmarks or roads to help determine a location.
    • Tip: If you have trouble remembering which is which, the longitude lines are "long." The diameter of the longitudinal lines is roughly constant, whereas the latitude lines get progressively smaller, the further they are from the equator.
  4. Learn to read contour lines. How high or flat the land is is represented on the map with contour lines. Each line represents a standard height above sea level.
    • When contour lines are close together, this means that the gradient is steep (the closer together, the steeper the gradient becomes).
    • When the contour lines are further apart, the gradient is flatter, so the further apart they are located, the flatter the ground on the map.
  5. Examine the legend. Most maps have a legend or key of symbols on the map itself. Get familiar with how your map represents data—that is key to understanding the rest of the map. In general, maps do the following:
    • Lines in varying sizes, colors, and unbroken or broken lines depict roads, from lanes to freeways and all in between.
    • Mountains tend to be shown as brown or green, and are height-dependent: darker at the bottom, lighter or white at the top.
    • Rivers, lakes, the ocean and other water bodies are generally shown in blue.
    • Forests, woods, parks, golf courses, or other large bodies of trees or green space are usually depicted in green.
    • Towns and city limits are often shown in a pastel pink or yellow, and the size and boldness of their names indicate relative population size or importance.
    • Buildings tend to be shown in gray or black colors.

Using the Map to Get You from A to B

  1. Figure out where you are. You have your map and you're ready to use it. Now you need to figure out where you are before you can plot where you're going.
    • You can do so by matching what you can see in real life with what is on the map. Common features that help identify your location on a map includes road names, landmarks and prominent natural features, like rivers.
    • If you have a compass, align the map with the direction shown on the compass. Or, use the sun or markers to help you do this.
    • A good way to find your location if you are unsure is to find two landmarks. For example, if you can see a prominent tower in front of you, and a city at 45 degrees to your left. Find those two landmarks on the map. Align the map so that the point in front of you is at the top of your map, and draw a straight line from that point down. Then draw a line from the diagonal landmark, till it intersects the first landmark. The point that they intersect is roughly your location. Look for closer landmarks to zero in on your position.
  2. Find your destination. Now it's time to figure out where you want to go.
    • If you just want to go from one place to another, all you need to do is to plot that single route out.
    • If there are several places you intend to go to, you may want to plan your route in such a way that you visit all the places in the shortest possible manner. You can do so by going to the nearest places first after which you will go to the further places.
  3. Use the map's index. Some maps, such as a Thomas Guide, have indexes stating the location of certain places on a map. This location could be grid numbers or pages.
    • Take note of a map's scale so that you can estimate your travel time, and if you are taking longer then you expected, you can stop to recheck your map.
    • Don't forget to check the map's legend so will know what you are looking at.
  4. Plot the route out. Now that you have figured out where you want to go, plot the route for your first leg of your journey.
    • Use can also use a pencil, if you don't want to permanently mark up your map.
    • Travel to the desired spot with the map. Keep tabs of checkpoints along the way—if you miss a turn, you could be seriously off course before you realise it.



Tips

  • A series of similar features makes navigation difficult. For example, it would be difficult navigating around New York City based on building names or in a marshland by water bodies. Try to make mental notes of what is not that common in the area to help guide you along your route.
  • Try to stay on marked roads or trails. While cutting across apparent green spaces may be the shortest route possible, they may be filled with obstacles ranging from fencing and walls to soggy ground or dense vegetation.

Things You'll Need

  • A map
  • Magnifying glass (optional)
  • Glasses or contact lenses (optional)
  • Protractor or compass (optional)
  • Small cord (optional)

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