MAP READING AND LAND NAVIGATION

A MAP is a graphic representation of the earths surface or part of it, drawn or formed to scale
on a plane as seen from above.
IMPORTANCE
When used correctly a map can give accurate information on such factors as:
a.
Distance
b.
Heights or Elevation
c.
Key Terrain Features
d.
Locations
e.
Best Routes
f.
Cover and Concealment
CARE OF MAP
A.
One of the first considerations in the care of maps is the proper folding of the map itself.
B.
Most maps are printed on paper and require protection from water, mud, and tearing.
C.
Care must be exercised when using maps, as it may have to last for a long time. If it
becomes necessary to mark a map, apply light lines only.
SECURITY OF MAPS
A.
Although not usually classified, a map may at times require special handling. Should it
fall into unauthorized hands, it could give an indication of future plans or areas of interest to the
enemy.
B.
Should a map be in danger or capture or no longer needed, it must be destroyed or
turned-in.
CATEGORIES AND USES OF MILITARY MAPS
ACCORDING TO SCALE
Small Scale Map maps at scales of 1:600,000 and smaller are used for general planning and
strategical studies at higher echelon. The standard small scale map is 1:1,000,000.
Medium Scale Map maps at scales larger that 1:600,000 but smaller that 1:75,000 are used
for planning large scale operations and large movement and concentration of troops and
supplies. The standard medium scale map is 1:250,000.
Large Scale Map maps at scales of 1:75,000 and larger are used to meet the tactical
requirement of field units. The standard large scale map is 1:50,000.
ACCORDING TO TYPE
Planimetric Map a map showing only the horizontal (flat) position of features.
Topographic Map a two-dimensional map which presents the horizontal (flat) and the vertical
(relief) positions of the features represented.
Plastic Relief Map a topographic map printed on plastic and molded into a three-dimensional
form.
Photo Map a reproduction of a photograph or photomosaic upon which grid lines, marginal
data, place names and boundaries may be added.

Terrain Model A three-dimensional representation of an area, modeled in plastic, rubber, or

Joint Operations Graphics

Photomosaic Map

Military City Map

Special Maps
MARGINAL INFORMATION
1.
Sheet Name located at the center of the upper margin. Generally, a map is named
after its outstanding cultural or geographic feature. Whenever possible, name of the largest city
on the map is use. Also can be found on lower left area of the map margin.
2.
Sheet Number found in the upper right and lower left areas of the margin and is used
as a reference number assigned to each map.
3.
Series Name and Scale the map series name is found in the upper left margin. A map
series is usually comprises a group of similar maps at the same scale and on the same sheet
lines or format, designed to cover a particular geographic area.
4.
Bar Scales the bar scales are located in the center of the lower margin. They are
rulers used for the determination of ground distance.
5.
Index to Adjoining Sheets the index to adjoining sheets appear in the lower margin. It
identifies the map sheets surrounding the map.
6.
Index to Boundaries appears in the lower right margin. This diagram, which is a
miniature of the map, shows the boundaries that occur within the map area such as provincial
and city boundaries.
7.
Legend located in the lower left margin. It illustrates and identifies the topographic
symbols used to depict the more prominent features on the map.
8.
Declination Diagram located in the lower margin and indicates the angular
relationship of true north, grid north, and the magnetic north.
9.
Contour Interval appears in the center of the lower margin. It states the vertical
distance between adjacent contour lines on the map.
10.
Protractor Scale a protractor scale may appear in the upper margin on some maps. It
is used for laying out a magnetic north line on the map.
11.
Elevation Guide found in the lower right margin. It is represented by bands of
elevation, spot elevations, and major drainage features that provides the map reader with a
means of rapid recognition of major landforms.
12.
Grid Reference Box normally located in the center of the lower margin. It contains
instructions for composing a grid reference.
13.
Unit Imprint and Symbol located on the left side of the lower margin. It identifies the
agency that prepared and printed the map with its respective symbol.
14.
Conversion Graph normally found in the right margin and indicates the conversion of
different units of measure.
15.
. Edition Number found in the upper right area of the top margin and the lower left
area of the bottom margin. Edition are numbered consecutively; therefore if you have more than
one edition, the highest numbered sheet is the most recent.
Topographic colors

Black - indicates cultural (man-made) features such as buildings & roads, surveyed
spot elevations and all labels.


Red-brown - the colors red & brown are combined to identify cultural features, all
relief features, non-surveyed spot elevations, and elevation, such as contour lines on redlight
readable map.

Blue - identifies hydrography or water features such as lakes, swamps, rivers, and
drainage. features that constitute obstacles are included in this group.

Green - identifies vegetation with military significance, such as woods, orchards, and
vineyards.

Brown identifies all relief features and elevation, such as contours on older edition
maps, and cultivated land on red-light readable map.

Red classifies cultural features, such as populated areas, main roads, and boundaries,
on older map.

Purple indicates new information superimposed on an existing map. sometimes, maps

Others occasionally other colors may be used to show special information.

Military Grid System

The grid military system is designated for use of universal transverse mercator (utm).

Reduces the length of written coordinates by substituting single letters for several
numbers.

The world is divided into 60 grid zones, which are large, regularly shaped geographic
areas, each of which is given a unique identification called grid zone designation.

Baras lies in zone 51 and p, or grid zone designation 51p.

Each zone is covered by 100,000-meter squares that are identified by the combination of
two alphabetical letters.

box.

The 100,000-meter square identification of baras is us located in the grid reference

Grid lines

map.

These are vertical lines and horizontal lines that make the utm grid on any large scale

Division of the 100,000 meter square into 10,000 or 1,000 regularly spaced lines.

Grid square

The north-south and east-west gridlines intersect at 90 degress, forming grid square.

Normally, the size of one of these grid squares on large scale maps is 1,000 meters by
1,000 meters.

6-digit grid coordinates

To determine location in nearest 100 meters.

Need to add 2 more numbers, one to the first half (easterly reading) and the other one
to the second half (northernly reading.
Scale & Distance
The scale of the map permits the user to convert distance on the map to distance on the ground
or vice versa.
The scale of a map expresses the ratio of horizontal distance on the map to the horizontal
distance on the ground