If you want to know how to get from one point to another without getting lost (and your GPS is broken), you don't need to ask for directions: pull out your trusty (and probably dusty) map! It is not difficult to know how to read a map. The symbols, the topography, and the directions require some knowledge, but the answers are all there! We will show you how to find the key to find the way!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose the right Map
Step 1. Choose the right map
There is a great variety of maps available, for a great variety of uses.
- For example there are road maps for those driving on highways and provincial roads.
- Tourist maps to visit a place, with the most famous historical places or the most important monuments.
- Topographic maps for hikers or remote areas, showing routes and places to camp.
- Sectoral, such as pilot maps, which have air routes; plus landmarks and tall buildings, which airplanes should avoid.
- A free, online general map, for some parts of the world, is Google Maps. However, it may not be available when you need it, so it's important to learn how to read paper maps as well.
Method 2 of 3: Understanding a Map
Step 1. Check the orientation of the map
Most maps are drawn with north at the top.
Sometimes this can be represented with a compass. Or it may simply be a guess from the map. If there is no indication to the contrary, assume that north is up
Step 2. Try to understand the scale of the map
The scale shows the proportion between the map distance and the real distance. These distances differ from map to map. It is usually found at the bottom and side of the map. It's something like 1: 100,000, which denotes that 1 map unit equals 100,000 units in real life. In general, the following scales work best in the situations listed:
- Get a 1:25,000 scale map for walking.
- 1: 190,000 to drive.
- 1:24,000,000 to see the whole world.
- To calculate how far away your destination is, use a ruler and scale to measure how many miles it takes to get from point A to point B.
- For example, if the scale of your map is 1: 250, 000, and the distance from point A to point B is 15 cm, the total distance is given by 15 * 250.000 = 3.810, 000 cm. One km is 1.609344 centimeters, so the distance from point A to point B is 3.810, 000 ÷ 1.609, 344 = 2.36 km.
Step 3. Pay attention to latitude and longitude
If you are traveling to the next city, it doesn't matter. But if you are going on a sailboat, plane, or tour, this information can be useful to you.
- Latitude refers to the distance in degrees north or south from the equator.
- Longitude refers to the distance in degrees east or west from the Greenwich Meridian line.
- Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, of which each minute represents one nautical mile / km (or 1.15 statute miles / 1.85 km). This means that one degree equals 60 nautical miles or 69 statute miles / 111km.
- Latitude is represented by the numbers on the side of the map.
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Longitude is represented by the numbers at the top and bottom of the map.
- The point where latitude and longitude meet in your location is your reference point.
- Latitude and longitude points are often used when there are no other landmarks or roads to help determine your location.
- Tip: If you have trouble remembering what is what, remember that longitude lines are long. The diameter of the longitudinal lines is roughly constant, while when the latitude lines become smaller and smaller, it means that they are moving further and further away from the equator.
Step 4. Learn to read the contour lines
The contour lines represent on the map, how much the terrain is inclined or level. Each line represents a standard height from sea level.
- When the contour lines are both close together, this means that the slope is greater (the closer they are therefore, the steeper the slope).
- When the contour lines are far from each other, the slope is reduced; therefore the farther they are, the flatter the terrain on the map.
Step 5. Review the legend
Most of the maps have a legend, or a key to reading the symbols, on the map itself. Familiarize yourself with how the map represents these symbols, as this is the key to reading the rest of the map. In general the maps look like this:
- Lines of different sizes, colors, and types (if interrupted or continuous) draw the streets; from lanes to highways, and everything inside.
- The mountains are brown or green, which varies according to height: darker at the bottom, lighter or white at the top.
- Rivers, lakes, oceans, or other bodies of water are usually represented in blue.
- Forests, woods, parks, golf courses, or large expanses of trees or green spaces, are usually represented in green.
- The boundaries between towns and villages are drawn in a pastel yellow or pink, and the shape and sharpness of the names indicate their relative population and importance.
- Buildings tend to be indicated in gray or black.
Method 3 of 3: Use the map to go from one point to another
Step 1. Find out where you are
You have the map and are ready to use it. Now you need to understand where you are first, before determining where you are going.
- You can do this by comparing what you see in the real world with what is on the map. The most common features that help you identify your location on the map include: street names, landmarks, and the most obvious natural features, such as rivers.
- If you have a compass, align the map with the direction shown by the compass. Or use the sun or other landmarks to orient yourself.
- A good way to understand where you are, if you're not sure, is to find two landmarks. For example, if you can spot a tower in front of you, and a city at 45 degrees to your left. Look for these two points on the map. Align the map so that the point in front of you is on top of the map, and draw a straight line from that point down. Then draw a line diagonally from one point until it intersects with your first reference point. The point where the two lines meet is roughly where you are. Search for nearby landmarks to pinpoint your location.
Step 2. Find your destination
Now is the time to know where you want to go.
- If you want to go home from one point to another, all you need to do is plan which way to go.
- If there are several places you want to go, maybe you want to plan your way in order to visit all the places in the shortest possible time. You can do this by going to the nearest places first, and then to the farther ones.
Step 3. Use the map index
Some maps, such as those in the Thomas Guide series, have indexes that indicate the location of certain places on the map. This position can be a grid of numbers or pages.
- Make a note of the map scale so you can estimate the length of the journey. If you take longer than expected, you can stop and double check the map.
- Don't forget to check the map legend, so you know what you're looking at.
Step 4. Plan your route
Now that you know where to go, plan your way for the first leg of your journey.
- You can also use a pencil if you don't want to mark the map with a pen.
- Travel to the desired point. Mark the checkpoints along the way; if you miss a corner, you may have gone off the road without realizing it.
Advice
- Try to stay on the marked road or path. While cutting through seemingly green spaces, it seems the shortest way to go, it can be just as full of obstacles, such as: fences, walls, muddy terrain, or intense vegetation.
- A number of similar characteristics make the journey difficult. For example, it would be difficult to shoot in New York based on the name of the buildings; or in a swamp referring to waterways. Try to think locally about something not too common in the area, so you can find your way along the way.
