Geographic coordinates on maps

Major latitudes and longitudes are shown as lines across the map or as tick marks in the margins. On most maps or charts, only selected latitudes and longitudes are completely labeled. To prevent clutter, other lines are labeled with partial numbers. For example, only the minutes of arc are shown. The standard way to describe a location with geographic coordinates is to state the latitude followed by the longitude. For example, 46°25'09"S, 105°57'15"E.

Geographic Coordinate Symbol

What is Geographic Coordinate Symbol? 

After knowing the basic information about the maps, scales, legends, symbols, and also how to measure distances on a map. Now you should know about geographic coordinate system. The geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system that using a set of specified numbers to tag every location on earth. It is one of the two commonly used methods for pinpointing locations on a map. The entire surface of the earth is covered by these coordinate symbols.

How to Measure Distances on a Map

Use a Ruler, or Curvimeter, or Even Google Maps Distance Calculator.

If you want to calculate the real world distance of a route, you need first to measure the equivalent distance on the map. This step is simple if the route is a straight line between two points. All you need to do is to measure the distance with a ruler. If you don't have a ruler, bear in mind that usually there are inscribed rulers in the base plates of orienteering compasses. Another way is to use drawn grid lines across the maps as measuring tool. The grid lines form an array of identical squares with sides of a specific length. After figuring out the dimensions of one square, the grid effectively becomes a ruler. For more complex routes, divide your route into straight-line segments and measure the distance of each segment one by one. Simply add the length of all segments to calculate the total length of the route.

Scale of a Map

Three Types of Map Scale.

All maps or charts are drawn to a specific scale. The scale is the relationship between a distance on the map versus the same distance in the real world. A large-scale map shows a small area in great detail, while a small-scale map covers a large area but with little detail. Selecting a map with an appropriate scale is therefore a compromise between coverage and detail, and depends on your intended activity. For example, climbing a mountain with complex topography requires a large-scale map, while a small scale map may be a better choice for a long canoe trip. The scale that you see written on the map is just an approximation. It is never completely constant across the whole map, but varies according to the projection that was used to create the map. The larger the area that a map covers, the more susceptible it is to scale variations. The scale can be expressed as a verbal scale, a ratio scale, or a bar scale.

Map Legend Symbol

Never Use a Map Without Knowing Its Symbol and Color's Meaning.

The map legend shows the meaning of the colors and symbols on your map. These symbol are very important in navigation. Unfortunately, there is no worldwide standard so the colors and symbols may mean different things on different maps. This is why it is important to consult the legend before using a map from an unfamiliar series.

Introduction to Navigation

Welcome to Wilderness Navigation Guide.

Navigation is both an art and a science, requiring creativity as well as raw technical skills. It has always been an intricate part of human activity. In the past our very survival may have hinged on using natural navigation clues to find a decent food source and then retrace the route back to the cave. In stark contrast, present-day navigation systems can guide an aircraft across oceans and continents to a perfect landing in zero visibility. Future space travelers will no doubt use devices that are even more sophisticated.

Despite these technological advancements, we often find ourselves frustrated by navigational tasks. Just ask anyone who has tried to find his or her way out of an unfamiliar city.

Studies have shown that having a general sense of direction is closely linked to the ability to mentally rotate objects. This may explain why some people easily become disoriented while others have seemingly no trouble finding their way. The widespread belief that some people, especially members of indigenous groups, can navigate purely by instinct is however a myth. Wherever you are on Earth, you are likely surrounded by clues that you can use for navigation. It isn’t so much an innate sense of direction that differentiates navigators, but rather the ability to recognize navigational clues and put them to effective use.