Professional Documents
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Map Reading 2023
Map Reading 2023
Map Reading 2023
HEADQUARTERS
NCR REGIONAL COMMUNITY DEFENSE GROUP
ARMY RESERVE COMMAND
Fort Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila
IMPORTANCE
When used correctly a map can give accurate information on such
factors as:
1.Distance
2.Heights or Elevation
3.Key Terrain Features
4.Locations
5.Best Routes
6.Cover and Concealment
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
CARE OF MAP
1.One of the first considerations in the care of maps is the proper folding
of the map itself.
2.Most maps are printed on paper and require protection from water,
mud, and tearing.
3.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.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
SECURITY OF MAPS
ACCORDING TO SCALE
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 other materials. It is distinguished from other maps showing some cultural
and terrain features realistically instead of symbolically.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
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.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
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.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
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.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
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.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
TOPOGRAPHIC COLORS
•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.
TOPOGRAPHIC COLORS
•BROWN – IDENTIFIES ALL RELIEF FEATURES AND ELEVATION, SUCH AS CONTOURS
ON OLDER EDITION MAPS, AND CULTIVATED LAND ON RED-LIGHT READABLE MAP.
•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”.
GRID LINES
GRID SQUARE
•THE NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-
WEST GRIDLINES INTERSECT AT 90
DEGRESS, FORMING GRID
SQUARE.
DIRECTION
METHODS OF EXPRESSING DIRECTION
1. DEGREE
1 DEGREE = 60 MINUTES
1 MINUTE = 60 SECONDS
2. MILS
1 CIRCLE = 6400 MILS
17.78 MILS = 1 DEGREE
3. GRAD
1 CIRCLE = 400 GRAD
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BASE LINE
•It is the starting point or zero measurement.
THREE (3) BASE LINES:
1. True North – a line from any point on the earth’s surface to
the north pole.
2. Magnetic North – Obtained thru the use of compasses.
3. Grid North – The north that is established by using the
vertical grid lines on the map.
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AZIMUTH
•It is the most common
military method to express
direction.
•It is a horizontal angle
measured clockwise from a
north base line.
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BEARING
•Another way to express direction.
•It is a horizontal angle measured
clockwise or counter-clockwise from a
north or south reference line.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
CONTOUR LINES
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SLOPE
•SLOPE IS THE RATE OF RISE AND FALL OF A
GROUND, MAYBE DESCRIBED AS BEING
GENTLE OF STEEP.
•EXPRESSED IN GRADIENT OR PERCENT.
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GRADIENT
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE HORIZONTAL AND
FORMULA: VERTICAL DISTANCE IS
EXPRESSED AS A FRACTION
GRADIENT = VD
WITH A NUMERATOR OF 1.
HD
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
A. Compass-to-Cheek Method:
1. Open the cover to a 90-degree angle to the base. Position the eyepiece at a 45-
degree angle to the base.
2. Place your thumb through the thumb loop, form a steady base with your third and
fourth fingers, and extend your index finger along the side of the Compass base.
3. Place the hand holding the compass into the palm of the other hand.
4. Bring both hands up to your face and position the thumb that is through the loop
against your cheekbone.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
B. Centerhold Method
2. Next, place your thumb through the thumb loop, form a Methods, steady base with
your third and fourth fingers, and extend your index finger along the side of the
compass.
3. Place the thumb of the other hand between the eyepiece and the lens, extend the index
finger along the remaining side of the compass, wrap the remaining fingers around the
fingers of the other hand, and pull your elbows firmly into your sides. This will place the
compass between your chin and your belt.
4. To measure an azimuth, you must turn your entire body toward the object and point
the compass cover directly at the object. Look down and read the azimuth from beneath
the fixed black index line. You may use this method at night.
5. To keep from going in circles when you are land navigating, stop occasionally to check
the azimuth along which you are moving. Also, you can move from object to object along
your path by shooting an azimuth to each object and then moving to that object.
Repeating this process while you navigate should keep you straight.
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3. TAKE THE STRAIGHTEDGE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE COMPASS & PLACE IT
ALONGSIDE THE NORTH-SOUTH GRID LINE WITH THE COVER OF THE COMPASS
POINTING TOWARD THE TOP OF THE MAP.
NOTE: THIS WILL PLACE THE FIXED BLACK INDEX LINE PARALLEL TO NORTH-
SOUTH GRID LINES.
4. KEEPING THE COMPASS ALIGNED AS DIRECTED, ROTATE THE MAP AND COMPASS
TOGETHER UNTIL THE MAGNETIC ARROW IS BELOW THE FIXED BLACK INDEX
LINE. AT THIS TIME, THE MAP IS CLOSE TO BEING ORIENTED.
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5. ROTATE THE MAP AND COMPASS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE DECLINATION DIAGRAM.
6. IF THE MAGNETIC NORTH ARROW ON THE MAP IS TO THE LEFT OF THE GRID NORTH, THE
COMPASS READING WILL EQUAL THE G-M ANGLE GIVEN IN THE DECLINATION DIAGRAM.
7. IF THE MAGNETIC NORTH IS TO THE RIGHT OF GRID NORTH, THE COMPASS READING WILL
EQUAL 360 DEGRESS MINUS THE G-M ANGLE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BACK AZIMUTH
RULE #1: IF THE AZIMUTH IS MORE THAN 180 DEGREES,
THEN SUBTRACT 180 DEGREES.
EXAMPLE: AZIMUTH 215 DEGREES
-180 DEGREES
BACK AZIMUTH 35 DEGREES
RULE #2: IF THE AZIMUTH IS 180 DEGREES OR LESS,
THEN ADD 180 DEGREES.
EXAMPLE: AZIMUTH 180 DEGREES
+180 DEGREES
BACK AZIMUTH 360 DEGREES
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
ANSWER: EG155897
YOU DETERMINE A DISTANCE OF 800 METERS TO THE ENEMY WITH YOUR LASER RANGE
FINDER AND A MAGNETIC AZIMUTH OF 290 DEGREES.
ANSWER: EG149902
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STEP 2. LOCATE AT LEAST TWO KNOWN POSITIONS ON THE GROUND AND MARK THEM ON THE MAP.
STEP 3. LAY A STRAIGHT EDGE (I.E. PROTRACTOR) WITH ONE END AT THE FIRST KNOWN POSITION AS A PIVOT
POINT, THEN ROTATE THE STRAIGHT EDGE TOWARD YOURSELF UNTIL YOU SIGHT THE KNOWN POSITION
ALONG THE