Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Understanding the map layout
• Part 2 of 2: Using a map to get where you need to be
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

If your GPS stops working and you need to know how to get from point A to point B without getting lost, there is no need to give up and ask for directions. Just get your old trusted card! Whether you're trekking through the Swiss Alps or planning a long drive, map reading is a practical skill that everyone should have. And contrary to popular belief, it is not really difficult. Once you understand important signs such as scale, latitude and longitude, and topographic lines, you will be able to travel anywhere with a few quick calculations.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Understanding the map layout

1. Choose the right kind of card. There are different cards for different purposes. Before you can use a map to navigate your way around, you need to make sure you have one that's right for your type of trip.
   • For example, there are road maps that help drivers along country lanes and highways, topographic maps that show campers where to find campsites and other accommodations, and even tourist maps that highlight major attractions for tourists.
   • Maps can be found almost everywhere, from gas stations and visitor centers to restaurants and popular attractions.
2. Check the direction of the map. Open the card and check if you are looking at it from the right perspective. Most maps have a compass at one corner that shows the directions indicated by the different signs. Unless otherwise indicated, the top of the map always corresponds to North.
   • North is considered a "neutral" direction and a reference for the other directions. It can be used to help travelers orientate themselves.
3. View the legend to understand the map. In addition to a compass, many maps also have a legend, or card, that explains the scientific methods used to create the map and lists important symbols. Familiarizing yourself with the legend is essential to understanding how the map represents information.
   • Here you will find symbols that represent roads, cities, municipal boundaries and important landmarks, as well as which color codes indicate landscape features such as mountains, forests and waters.
   • These elements are intended to teach travelers about how to interpret their environment and how to travel safely.
4. Note the latitude and longitude. A Latitude Meridian is a geographic coordinate that indicates the east-west position of a point on the Earth relative to the Zero Meridian. Longitude meridians (those "long" lines) run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole (or vice versa, from South to North). The lines of latitude run horizontally, parallel to the Equator (the center of the globe) and show the distance north or south of the Equator. The numbers on the sides of the map show the degrees of latitude and longitude. Each degree represents 60 "minutes" (describing fractions of distance, not travel time) and 1 nautical mile (roughly 1.8 km).
   • The Equator and the Zero Meridian have been chosen as useful reference points because they are located approximately in the center of the globe.
   • If you just drive to the next village, you don't need the latitude and longitude. However, for long journeys they are indispensable in calculating your position.
5. Watch the scale. The scale of a map shows the relationship between the distance on the map and the actual distance. This will give you an idea of ​​how far you have to go. The scale varies from card to card, but is normally indicated as a numerical ratio, such as "1: 100,000". This ratio means nothing more than that 1 distance unit on the map equals 100,000 distance units in real life.
   • You can usually find the scale at the bottom or on the side of the map.
   • Depending on the type of map you are using, the scale is adjusted accordingly. For example, a map for hikers, cyclists, kayakers and other short range activities will have a scale of around 1: 25,000, while the average road map will be closer to 1: 50,000.
   • For example, on a road map with a scale of 1: 100,000, 1 cm on the map would equate to 2,540 km.

Part 2 of 2: Using a map to get where you need to be

1. Find out where you are. If you are on the street, the easiest way to do that is to look for nearby street signs or highway signs and look for them on the map. If you are in a place where you cannot distract you, try to link what you see around you to what you see on the map. From there you can indicate your position so that you can point yourself in the right direction.
   • General features that can help you determine your location are special natural features such as rivers and mountains.
   • A handy trick in determining your location is to start with two landmarks you can see (for example, a water tower and a town) and draw a straight line between them. The point where they converge is roughly your location, to the nearest mile or two.
2. Make sure your map is aligned with your compass (optional). Assuming you are using a compass to help you navigate, it is important to calibrate it so that it is properly oriented to your immediate surroundings, taking into account possible variations in magnetic attraction (if there are deviations these are normally included in the legend ). This step is sometimes referred to as "rejection". It will be much easier to get a sense of where you are going if you can just turn your head.
   • It's a good idea to have a compass in your car or bag if you're going on a trip where getting lost is a great possibility.
   • Today, most smartphones have compass apps that are very accurate and don't need to be connected to the internet to work.
3. Locate your destination. Take a circle around where you want to end up on the map and see how much distance there is between your start and end point. Once you've done this, you can take a closer look and determine which roads to take to get to your destination in the shortest possible time.
   • Calculating distance on scale helps you keep track of your route more precisely.
4. Plot your course. From here it is simply a matter of choosing which roads or paths you want to take to get from Point A to Point B. Keep in mind that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Therefore, it is usually best to stick to a route that has the fewest branches or detours.
   • Consider whether a certain way or direction of numbering or road construction is used in the area where you are, such as ascending house numbers from the center in the Netherlands.
   • A disadvantage of traditional maps is that they cannot warn you about road closures, road works, renamed streets, or other possible obstacles.
5. Follow the chosen route to your destination. Now that all the details have been worked out, you can focus on the journey itself. Roam confidently and watch the meters run, check the map as often as you want. Make sure you do not deviate from your route unless you have invented a different route in advance.
   • The exact route you take is largely due to your preference - in some cases you want to get to your destination quickly, while in others you want to travel more slowly and stop every now and then to see something.
   • If you are traveling with someone else, give the task of navigating to one person so that there is no discussion or confusion about how to interpret the map.
6. Create checkpoints to make sure you don't get lost. Track your progress with a pencil or pen as you go. Draw a point, asterisk or another symbol when you are at a special landmark. That way you can refer to the last checkpoint if you need to turn around.
   • Record how far you have come each time you stop and calculate how much distance you still have to go.

Tips

• Make sure to keep your card where you can always access it.
• Laminating inland maps will protect them from rain, sleet, hail and snow.
• Replace your map collection every few years to keep up with changes in different areas.
• Get a complete road map of the area you will be traveling through before you leave. This can come in handy if your GPS navigation breaks down.

Warnings

• Make sure your card doesn't tear, get dirty or get lost. Without a card you will really get in trouble!
• Try to stay on marked roads and paths as much as possible. It can be tempting to cut a bit, but the further you get into unfamiliar territory the more difficult it will be to find your way back.

Necessities

• Map
• Pen or pencil
• Compass (optional)