Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Topographic Maps 101 The Basics The Five D's - Directions
A quick look at a map will show you the general
direction in which any point lies from your position and any other
point. However,
before you can begin to determine actual distances and
directions- you must
know in which direction - north and south run.
When looking at a map correctly- North is usually to the top of the map. This means down is South, the left margin is West and the right margin is East.
If you are still not sure and have doubts- look in the bottom margin of the map. Here you will find a small diagram of an angle with one leg marked as " True North " and the other leg marked as " Magnetic North ". Lets not worry about the differences yet. Just remember that the line that is marked True North runs parallel to the lines that frame the map on the left and right.
Which Direction Is It In ?
Lay out the topographic map before you.
Find the longitude number along the top line of the map frame and
then the number corresponding to it on the bottom of the map frame.
With a ruler and pencil- draw a line to connect the two.
This line will become your north - south
meridian line.
Now along this line pick a spot to be your base of operations. This is where you will be determining your direction from.
Any point heading up from your spot on the meridian line is directly North - any point heading down is directly South.
Any point to the left is
West
and any point to the right is
East.
Now how do you determine other directions from your base of operations? Take a piece of paper 3 inches square. Fold it in half, then in half again, then in half again, and then in half one more time. Round-off the free edges with a pair of scissors. Open the paper and mark the folds clockwise : N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, and NNW.
Now place this marked circle at your base of
operations lining up
N
and
S. Now you can go out
from your marked circle and know which direction you are going.
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