Map - and a Compass
Ranked #6,978 in Travel & Places, #189,564 overall
Remember When There Was No Such Thing As GPS? Yup. We Used MAPS!
Do you know why some compasses have mirrors on them?
I've always wondered about that.... But I'll get to that later.
I had an exposure to NAVIGATION very early in my life. Even before I figured out how to use a compass.
You see, my Mom and Dad were teachers... and every summer that I can remember, as soon as that last school bell rang before the longest vacation of the year, our Ford Country Squire station wagon was loaded up and ready to hit the road.
My Sis and I learned map reading and navigation as soon as we could read. (It was almost as if we were being homeschooled and map reading was our combination geography-reading-math-social studies assignment.)
Even before I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, I could figure out which direction we were heading--North, South, East, and West. My Sis and I knew that the sun rose in the East and it set in the West. We knew that if the East was to your right and the West was to your left, then North would be in front of you and South would be behind you.
The above paragraph represents a basic bit of map/navigation information. It's good stuff to know.
When we were traveling, Dad and Mom would explain things like...
--A map should ALWAYS be held with NORTH positioned at the TOP of the map. (You'd be surprised how many folks draw maps with North positioned in a different direction/orientation. This can make following the map ridiculously confusing!)
--Maps have legends. The legends explain the markings on the map. The markings represent things like roads, trails, rivers, creeks, airports, bridges, mountains, lakes, intersections, campgrounds, railroad tracks, and cities, towns, villages, and other landmarks. (So, it's helpful for you to learn how to read and understand the legend!)
--Maps are drawn in different scales. Sometimes an inch/centimeter represents a half-mile/kilometer (such as in a city map), sometimes an inch represents 25 miles (as it might in a state map), sometimes an inch represents 250 miles (as in a country map). Know your scales--and have a general idea of what a mile is. A way to get a feeling for the relationship of miles/kilometers to the map scale is to watch the trip odometer on your car (not too closely--keep your eye on the road!) as you drive a "sample mile" and a "sample five miles". Then, compare the drive you took with a city map to see how the relationship works. Do this occasionally until you are comfortable with relating actual distances to representations on a map.
--Some maps show landmark features through continuous or dashed light-tan lines that represent a single elevation. These maps are called "topographic maps". When the tan lines are close together, it means that the rise/fall is changing quickly --in other words, the elevation indicates a hill or even a cliff. If the tan lines are far apart, you have a gentle rise in elevation, thus a plain. If you see a blue line or blue shape beteween the elevation lines, you are seeing a river or creek or pond or lake in a depression or valley.
Again, to learn how to learn to recognize the representations on a map quickly, carry a map with you whenever you are out and about... and when you see rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and other landmarks next to recognizable roads and intersections, look at the map and see where you might be on the map. Soon, you will be able to look at any map and visualize how the landscape appears in reality.
“Okay, already.
So, WHY is it that some compasses have mirrors?”
Road Trip! Here are some maps to get you started!
Montana Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme
EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about a State! more...0 points
Oregon Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme
The first choice of outdoors enthusiasts. Beautifu more...0 points
North Carolina Atlas & Gazetteer (North Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer)
EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about a State! more...0 points
Rick Steves' Europe Map by Rick Steves
Designed specifically for Rick's travel audience (or more...0 points
California Road Atlas & Driver's Guide (Annual) by Thomas Bros. Maps
One of the most updated and comprehensive guides t more...0 points
Rail Map Europe, 17th (Thomas Cook Rail Map Europe) by Thomas Cook Timetables Team
These color-coded maps feature over 6,000 cities and more...0 points
Got Map? How to Use One!
Learning How to Use a Compass Is Good--But It Helps If You Know About Magnetic North!
One of the readers of this Squidoo emailed to tell me: "In Alaska, the sun rises and sets in the North in the summer and in the south in the winter. Only in spring and fall does it rise in the east and set in the west. And magnetic north is currently east of where I live (Fairbanks), but is apparently moving west." (Thanks Laura!)So... this sort of adds to the confusion of using a compass (although, using a compass might still be somewhat helpful in the lower-48 states)
Also... folks in Hawaii use "toward the ocean" and "toward the mountains" for giving directions on their islands.
Folks in Australia wrote to say that they prefer their maps with South at the top of the map--which puts their city of Darwin at the bottom of the map and Melbourne and Perth at the top of their map.
If you have other ideas or ways that you use maps, leave a comment below.
How To Learn How To Read A Map When You Aren't A Boy Scout!
Brunton Orienteering Basic Course Kit
This basic kit contains all the items needed to se more...0 points
Brunton Combo, Compass and Map Navigator Book Compass and Map Navigator Set
Learn how to navigate your way through the backcou more...0 points
Compass & Map Reading Manual
U.S. Army Field Manual FM-21-26 is a must for all more...0 points
Want to See the Relationship Between Where You Are and a Map?
Check this out! If you know where you are geographically, you can find yourself on a map!
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Compasses.... The Things That Make Using A Map Easier!
Hey! Some of these Compasses have MIRRORS!
Silva Guide 426 Compass
Silva's® Guide® Series 426 compass is a sighting more...0 points
Brunton Classic Compass
The ideal beginner compass, the 9020G is another B more...0 points
Silva Lensatic 360 Compass
Classic design traditionally used by military forc more...0 points
Brunton 8099 Eclipse Compass
This little compass by Brunton has just about ever more...0 points
Suunto MC-2G Global Compass
Suunto Global Compass contains the same features a more...0 points
Brunton Classic Mirrored Map Compass
A classic example of a trusty compass, the 8040G i more...0 points
Suunto M-3DL Compass
Ergonomically designed with serrated bezel for eas more...0 points
Compass? How to Use One....
When You Need A Place To Store Your Maps!
Get a Topo! Topographic Map, that is!....
In Case You Get Lost In Tokyo... Here's a Tokyo Case for Your Map!
I'm Not Sure This Is What Was Meant by Orienteering!
Got Map? Let Others Know That You Aren't Lost!
The Story of Maps -- The History of Cartography -- Mapping the World and Beyond!
When my family and I lived in New Mexico, our neighbor had a job as a cartographer. It was interesting watching him do his work--and it was fun listening to his stories of his experiences in mapping. Some background on maps and the art and science of map-making can be found in the following references.
Cartographia: Mapping Civilizations by Vincent Virga, Library of Congress
CARTOGRAPHIA offers a stunning array of 200 of the more...0 points
Mapping the World: An Illustrated History of Cartography by Ralph E Ehrenberg
Mapping the World is a one-of-a-kind collection of more...0 points
Transit Maps of the World by Mark Ovenden
Transit Maps of the World is the first and only comprehensive more...0 points
Maps: Finding Our Place in the World
Maps are universal forms of communication, easily understood more...0 points
To the Ends of the Earth: 100 Maps That Changed the World by Jeremy Harwood
"Illustrated with one hundred of the world's most more...0 points
New Found Lands: Maps in the History of Exploration by Peter Whitfield
An exploration narrative can be a tale of adventure more...0 points
The Story of Maps by Lloyd A. Brown
The first authoritative history of maps and the men more...0 points
The World Through Maps: A History of Cartography by John Rennie Short
The history of mapping from prehistoric times to the more...0 points
So, Why Is There A Mirror On Some Compasses?
No... it isn't so you can see who's LOST! (^_^) --although that's a good explanation!
- Stanley London Mirror Sighting Compasses
- This website provides many nice illustrations of both baseplate and sighting-mirror compasses.
- The Compass Store
- This site shows a mirror compass in use and has links to map-reading education and other materials. It also goes into greater explanation of sighting with a mirror-compass and how to use it when differentiating between magnetic north and geographic north.
- Geography Standards--Lesson Plans for Teachers
- How to Use Maps and Other Geographic Representations, Tools, and Technologies to Acquire, Process, and Report Information From a Spatial Perspective
- Japanese addresses: No street names. Block numbers.
- This is a fun blog post that describes the difference between how the Japanese perceive locations in a city versus the way Westerners do. Even has maps to illustrate the concept!
Hey, with These, at Least You Can't Claim You Can't Find It!
Create your own collection of Squidoo lenses by starting here!
Just click on the icon below -- it's easy, it's fast, and best of all, it's FUN!
Squid graphic courtesy of Squidoo Squid Graphics For Your Lenses! by GreekGeek.
Want to Make Your Mark--Maybe Not On a Map--But Why Not Here? Drop a Note and Say Hi!
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puerdycat
Jan 30, 2011 @ 11:08 am | delete
- Oh! My, how things change! 5 years ago I was still able to find a big book of maps in an LA grocery store! I'm one of those people who carry a compass, maps and the local phone book. Also a shovel, bucket and axe as I'm in the Rocky Mountains.
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Ramkitten
Apr 7, 2009 @ 11:54 am | delete
- Hi, Dave. Nice job here! I'm lensrolling it to my new Basic Map & Compass lens, because more information is always a good thing.
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MishaA
Nov 28, 2007 @ 1:19 pm | delete
- Hi EditorDave,
Nice lens :) I voted for it and added to favorites :)
You might be interested in one of my lenses, too. It compares Google and Mapquest driving directions.
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ComingSoon
Nov 5, 2007 @ 10:18 pm | delete
- Yes! A lot of useful info in here! I just had my first beer in 2 monthes thanks to this lens!
Keep the good lenses rolling EditorDave!
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ComingSoon
Nov 4, 2007 @ 12:59 pm | delete
- I have spent the last 2 monthes just going around the Ecuadorian jungle completly lost.
I have with me a compass, a solar panel battery charger, my laptop with integrated satellite link and a now smelly tend.
Thanks EditorDave! Now I can figure out how to use the compass and go back home again!
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by EditorDave
If you need documentation or editorial help, or assistance with financial services, please drop me a note.
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Advice on using a map and compass!
Using a Map & Compass
Amazon Price: $7.75 (as of 06/02/2012)
This book will give you all the techniques and has illustrations and narrative to back them up!
Using a map and compass ... in the boonies!
Compass & Map Reading Manual
Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 06/02/2012)
Most folks tend to use their maps when they're trying to navigate through new city or state roads.... but sometimes you must venture off the roads--this manual will help you navigate when you aren't near roads!
If you know something about maps and compasses,
then, when you find yourself without a map and compass (and no GPS), you'll be able to find your way anyway!
Finding Your Way Without Map or Compass
Amazon Price: $5.22 (as of 06/02/2012)
If you know something about maps and compasses, then when you find yourself without a map and compass (and no GPS), you'll be able to find your way anyway! This book describes how to use natural landmarks and terrain and other environmental characteristics to figure out where you are and how to get around (without the map, compass, or GPS!).
