Map

A map is a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional world you'll be hiking in. There are many kinds of maps you can use. The most useful kind for a hiker would definetly be a topographic map. A topographic map uses markings such as contour lines to simulate the three-dimensional topography of the land on a two-dimensional map. In the U.S. these maps are usually U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maps. Other maps that you'll find helpful are be local trail maps which often have more accurate and up-to-date information on specific trails than USGS maps do. The following are the guidelines of how to use map and some helpful tips.

Latitude and Longitude:

Maps are drawn based on latitude and longitude lines. Latitude lines run east and west and measure the distance in degrees north or south from the equator (0° latitude). Longitude lines run north and south intersecting at the geographic poles. Longitude lines measure the distance in degrees east and west from the prime meridian that runs through Greenwich, England. The grid created by latitude and longitude lines allows us to calculate an exact point using these lines as X axis and Y axis coordinates.

Both latitude and longitude are measured in degrees (°).
1° = 60 minutes
1 minute = 60 seconds

Scale:

Scale is degree of reduction. Most often it is expressed as a ratio. For example, a scale of 1:14,000 means that 1 inch on the map equals 14,000. You will often hear confusing terms "large scale" and "small scale". Confusing because they mean the opposite of what it seems they shoud.

Small scale = Small detail = 1:(BIG NUMBER)
Large scale = Large detail =1:(SMALL NUMBER)

The Legend:

The margins of a map contains its legend. It takes up very small space but provides all kinds of information. Here are some of it:

• Who created the map.
• Each corner is marked with its longitude and latitude
• Title (such as the state and the county where the area is located)
• The scale
• Accuracy standards

Symbols:

If we are successfully to interpre a map's message, we must first understand its languge. Symbols, the laguage of the map, are purely visual and very descriptive. There are many of them on a topographic map. Click here to view them.

Contour lines:

They are lines on the map that connect points with the same elevation. Contour lines give you a mental picture of area's 3 dimentional stucture.