Read All Text Between Two Markers Different Lines

If your GPS is on the fritz and you need to know how to go from betoken A to point B without getting lost, there'due south no need to admit defeat by stopping to ask for directions. Just pull out your trusty map! Whether you're hiking the Swiss Alps or planning a cross state route trip, knowing how to read a map is practical skill that everyone should possess. And contrary to pop belief, it isn't particularly hard. Once you empathise what key markers like scale, longitude and latitude, and topographical lines mean, y'all'll exist able to travel but about anywhere with a few quick calculations.

1. one

   Choose the correct type of map. Different kinds of maps exist for different uses. Earlier yous can use a map to assist you find your way, you'll need to make sure you're equipped with i that's suitable for the type of traveling you lot're doing.^[1]

   • For example, there are road maps to help drivers navigate back roads and interstate highways, topographical maps telling campers how to reach campsites and lodging areas, and fifty-fifty tourist maps highlighting famous landmarks for sightseers.
   • Maps can be found just about anywhere, from gas stations and company centers to restaurants and popular attractions.

2. ii

   Check the map's orientation. Open upwardly the map and take a moment to double bank check that you're examining it from the right perspective. Nearly maps characteristic a "compass rose" in one corner that shows which directions are indicated by the various markers. Unless otherwise specified, the top of the map will e'er correspond with North.^[ii]

   • North is considered a "neutral" orientation which provides a reference for the other directions. It can exist used to aid travelers get their bearings.

3. three

   Refer to the legend (likewise called the Map Key) to brand sense of the map. In add-on to a compass rose, many maps too contain a fable, or chart that explains the scientific methods used to draw upward the map and lists what important symbols hateful. Familiarizing yourself with the legend is key to comprehending the mode the map displays data.^[iii]

   • Here you'll find symbols representing roadways, town and city limits, and prominent landmarks, as well equally colour-coded ecology features like mountains, forests, and bodies of water.^[4]
   • These elements are designed to educate travelers on how to interpret and safely traverse their surroundings.

4. 4

   Make a notation of the longitude and latitude. A Meridian of Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the eastward-west position of a point on the Earth's surface, relative to the Prime Meridian. Meridians of Longitude (these "Long" lines) run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole (or vice-versa, Southward to North). Parallels of Latitude run parallel to the Equator (the "waist line" of the globe) horizontally, and prove distance n or southward of the Equator. The numbers at the sides and elevation or lesser of the map track the degrees of Longitude and Latitude. Each degree represents sixty "minutes" (which describes fractions of altitude, not travel time); 1 caste of breadth represents lx nautical mile or 111.12 Km (roughly 69 state miles).

   • The Equator and the Prime Meridian were chosen as handy reference points because they're located roughly in the centre of the globe.
   • If you lot're only making a trip to the next boondocks over, longitude and latitude won't come into play. For long-distance journeys, still, they'll be invaluable for coordinating your positions.

5. 5

   Pay attention to the scale. A map's scale provides a ratio of map distance to actual altitude. This volition give you an thought of just how far yous take to go. The calibration will differ from map to map, but will typically be presented equally a number ratio, like "1 : 100,000." This ratio simply ways that one unit of measurement of distance on the map is equal to 100,000 units in real life.^[5]

   • Yous'll usually be able to find the scale at the bottom or off to i side of the map.
   • Depending on the type of map you're using, the scale volition be adjusted accordingly. For instance, an explorer map (used for hiking, cycling, kayaking, and similar brusk-range activities) volition have a calibration effectually 1 : 25,000, while the average driving map volition be closer to 1 : 50,000.^[6]
   • On a roadmap with a calibration of 1 : 100,000, for example, 1 inch (2.five cm) of space on the map volition be equal to 1.578 miles (2.540 km).

1. 1

   Effigy out where you are. If you're on the route, the simplest style to do this is to observe nearby street signs or highway markers and cross-reference them on the map. If yous're stranded someplace with no fashion of telling where yous are, try to match upwards what yous come across in real life with what you encounter on the map. From there, mark your position and so you can get yourself pointed in the right direction.^[7]

   • Some common features that can help you identify your location include outstanding natural features, like rivers and mountains.
   • One useful trick for establishing your whereabouts is to start with two landmarks within seeing distance (for case, a water tower and a small town) and describe a straight line between them. The signal where they intersect is your rough location, give or take a mile or 2.^[8]

2. 2

   Make sure the map is aligned correctly to your compass (optional). Assuming that you're using a compass to aid in navigation, it volition be important to calibrate information technology so that it's correctly oriented with your firsthand surroundings, taking into account possible variations in magnetic allure (if abnormalities be, they volition ordinarily be noted somewhere on the legend). This step is sometimes known every bit "declination." It will be much easier to get a sense of where you're going when you can simply turn your head.

   • Information technology'southward a good idea to keep a compass in your vehicle or gear bag whenever you lot embark on an trek where condign lost is a distinct possibility.
   • Nowadays, most smartphones take compass apps that are remarkably accurate and don't need to be continued to the internet to function.^[ix]

3. 3

   Pinpoint your destination. Circle the identify where you lot desire to end upwardly on the map and expect at how much distance lies between your start and endpoints. Once y'all've done this, you tin can zoom in and the identify which avenues will let you to go far at your destination in the shortest amount of time possible.

   • Calculating the altitude to scale will help you to track your movements more than precisely.

4. 4

   Plot your course. From hither, it's simply a matter of choosing which roads or paths y'all want to take to get from Point A to Point B. Continue in mind that the shortest distance between two points is a directly line. Consequently, it'due south normally best to stick to a direct road with a minimal number of branches or detours.^[x]

   • Remember, interstate systems are most often laid out left to right and south to north, while city streets are arranged in a filigree pattern for more than efficient navigation.^[eleven]
   • Ane shortcoming of traditional maps is that they won't be able to alert you to road closings, construction piece of work, renamed streets, and other potential obstacles.

5. five

   Follow the selected route to your destination. Now that all the details accept been worked out, y'all can focus on the journey itself. Roam confidently and watch the miles tick off, glancing back at the map every bit oftentimes equally you need. Be careful non to deviate from your course unless you've figured out a different route in advance.

   • The exact course you take will largely be a affair of preference—in some cases, you may be pushing it to get to your destination on fourth dimension, while in others you might exist traveling at a leisurely pace and want to make the occasional stop to do some sightseeing.
   • If yous're traveling with someone else, assign the navigating duties to i person so in that location won't be whatever dispute or confusion over how to translate the map.

6. 6

   Create checkpoints to continue from losing your fashion. As you movement forth, keep track of your progress using a pencil or other writing utensil. Draw a dot, star, or some other symbol whenever you come to a notable landmark. That way, y'all'll exist able to refer to the last checkpoint y'all passed should you happen to get turned around.

   • Every fourth dimension you finish, record how far you've come, and work out how much distance y'all still accept ahead of yous.

Add New Question

• Question

  Can I get clarification about the scaling of the map?

  

  A calibration is the ratio between the distance on the map and the existent distance on the ground.

• Question

  What'due south the difference betwixt magnetic north and grid n?

  

  Magnetic n is where your compass points and filigree north are where the vertical lines on your map point to.map makers dont brand maps to where your compass points because it isnt a fixed place and moves slightly every yr.

• Question

  What are some features that every map has in common?

  

  Most maps accept a key. For example, the capital city might exist indicated by a star, and the key would tell you that. The main cities or towns in the state usually have medium-sized dots. Lots of them have lines marking the roads too.

• Question

  How do I calculate a distance between two points on map?

  

  Measure and use map calibration to calculate. If the map scale is 1-100 and the distance between the points is 4, and so the distance betwixt the two points is 400 (miles, kilometers, etc.).

• Question

  How can I tell what blazon of map I have?

  

  Wait at the symbols. For example, a political map shows the cities and boundaries betwixt a state and another country; a touristic map testify the airports, special parks and place to visit.

• Question

  What is the distinguishing cistron between mental maps and cartographic maps?

  

  Mental maps exist only in the head.

• Question

  If I am looking at a map without a compass, how can I determine which direction is North, Due south, East or West?

  

  Usually the top of the map is the Northward, the bottom is the South, the right side the Eastward and the left is West. Compass points likewise require capitalization in writing.

• Question

  What are the nearly of import keys on a map?

  

  The legend, the map scale and date are probably the well-nigh important keys. The fable will help you identify of import features of the map and the scale will help you calculate the bodily distance. The date ensures that y'all don't take an outdated map.

• Question

  How do I read depressions on the map?

  

  When the contour lines are closer together on a map, they indicate a steep slope. Recollect of contour lines as the distance betwixt each incline. The closer together the inclines, the steeper the hill. On the other manus, the farther apart the lines are, this tends to indicate a low in the landscape.

• Question

  On a map, 1 inch equals 10 miles. If two cities are ii inches apart on the map, how far are they actually apart?

  

  You've answered your own question, just yous simply don't realize it! If one inch equals 10 miles, and the ii cities you need are 2 inches apart, that would exist xx miles. Still, if another city is two.five inches from the other urban center, that would be 25 miles autonomously.

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• Make sure you keep your map where it can easily be accessed at all times.

• You tin also employ a compass to navigate your way.

• Pick up a consummate roadmap of your area earlier yous set out on a road trip. I of these maps will contain the names and configurations of the interstate system and all major highways, and can come in handy if your GPS navigation goes out.

• Update your map collection every few years to stay current on dissimilar territories as they change and grow.

• Laminating backcountry maps will assist protect them from rain, sleet, hail, and snow.

• Avoid fierce, smudging or misplacing your map. Without it, you lot'll really be in trouble!

• Try to stay on marked roads and trails every bit much equally possible. Information technology may be tempting to observe a shortcut or cut direct across open up expanses, but the further you venture into uncharted territory, the harder it will be to detect your way back.

Things Y'all'll Demand

• Map
• Pen or pencil
• Compass (optional)

Nearly this commodity

Commodity Summary X

To read a map, start by looking at the compass rose on the top of the map to make sure you are holding the map correctly. The top of the map should be Northward. Then, make up one's mind what direction you are facing by using a compass or your GPS. Once you are oriented, circumvolve where y'all are and where you lot'd like to proceed the map. Utilise those ii points to plot out a course, making note of any turns or changes in direction that y'all volition need to take. You lot can determine how far you need to go by looking at the map's scale. To learn how to read a map's key and determine longitude and latitude, read on!

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Read All Text Between Two Markers Different Lines

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