INTRODUCTION TO MAP

READING

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Key Points
• 1 Marginal Information
• 2 Topographic Symbols
• 3 Terrain Features

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Fore note
With our military forces dispersed throughout the world, it is necessary
to rely on maps to provide information to our combat elements and to
resolve logistical operations far from our shores. Soldiers and materials
must be transported, stored, and placed into operation at the proper
time and place. Much of this planning must be done using maps. All
operations require a supply of maps; however, the finest maps available
are worthless unless the map user knows how to read them.

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Marginal Information
• The Marines defines a map as “a
graphic representation of a portion of
the earth’s surface drawn to scale, as
seen from above.”
• Because the map is a graphic
representation, you’ll need a written
explanation of the graphic elements.
You’ll find that explanation in the
margins of the map: the marginal
information

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The Bottom of the Map
• The bottom of the map compose of all information about the area, in this
portion of the map you can find the Map Legends, Map Scale, Contour
Interval, and Grid Reference Box (Figure Below)

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Map Legend
The map legend identifies the
symbols used to depict the
prominent natural and
manmade objects that exist on
the ground. These symbols are
not the same on every map,
especially foreign maps. Check
the legend to avoid making
serious mistakes. The legend
from the bottom of the map
(Figure Below)

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Map Scale, Contour Interval, and Grid Reference Box

The scale gives you the ratio of the distance on the map to the
distance on the ground. For example, a scale of 1:50,000
indicates that one unit of measure on the map equals one unit
of measure on the ground. In other words, one inch on the map
equals 50,000 inches on the ground, or approximately 8/10ths
of a mile or 1.27 kilometers. The larger the ratio, the less detail
can be placed on the map. Likewise, the smaller the ratio, the
more detail can be placed on the map. Therefore, a 1:25,000
map will have larger grids, allowing the map-printing agency to
place more details onto the map

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The Three Norths
True north is measured in relation to the geographic
North Pole and is generated as the earth rotates on its
axis. The direction is marked in our skies by the North
Celestial Pole.
Grid north is a navigational phrase used to refer to the
northward on a grid lines in a map projection. Grid north
contrasts the true north and the magnetic north in that it is
aligned to grid lines and always points upwards on a map
A compass needle will always point towards the Magnetic
north pole. The pole may not be the exact point since the
compass aligns itself to the local geomagnetic field which
varies constantly. The pole is the wandering point in the
Northern Hemisphere where the magnetic field points
vertically downwards.

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The Relationship Between The Norths

• The three norths are important to map readers and navigators in

making them understand topography. The difference between the
magnetic north and the true north is the angle of inclination on a
horizontal plane mostly referred to as magnetic variation or
declination. Each region has a unique declination and it should be
accounted for when reading and analyzing a map. A few degrees can
be either added or subtracted to get the specific north one is looking
for.

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Adjoining Sheets Diagram
You’ll see a checkerboard-like
display with the square in the center
of the display representing the map
you are reading. For example, if you
need the map to the east of the map
you’re reading, look at the adjoining
sheets diagram, identify the sheet
number of the adjoining map, and
request the map.

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Topographic Symbols
Symbols on a map that represent natural and
man-made features found on the earth’s
surface
Mapmakers draw maps so you can visualize
the landscape with the features in the right
place. Your map legend defines the
topographic symbols the mapmakers have
used to identify the man-made and natural
features on the map

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Topographic Symbols Colors
Military maps show various man-made and natural features using topographic
symbols and different colors.
Black indicates cultural (man-made) features such as buildings, railroads,
and roads
Red and Brown combinations identify cultural features (such as major
roads), relief features, and contour lines on red-light readable maps
Blue identifies water: lakes, swamps, rivers, and coastal waters
Green identifies vegetation such as woods, orchards, and vineyards

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Brown identifies cultivated land on red-light readable maps—on older
maps, brown represents relief features and elevation such as contours
Red was used on older maps to mark populated areas, main roads, and
boundaries
Other colors may show special information. Check the legend.

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 Three Classes of Terrain
Terrain Features Features -- According to
the US Army, terrain
• Terrain features of elevation and features are divided into
three categories: major,
relief can be depicted by contour minor, and supplementary.
lines. There are 10 such features
you need to know about. Once Major  Supplementary 
•Hill •Cliff
you're familiar with these features •Saddle •Cut
and what they're called, you can •Valley •Fill
begin to study your topo map and try •Ridge
to picture in your mind's eye the •Depression
shape of the terrain. It takes some Minor 
practice, but after a while you can •Draw
get good at it. •Spur

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Ridgeline
Ridgeline -- The most basic
terrain feature is the
ridgeline. Not to be confused
with a ridge, a ridgeline is a
line of high ground with
lower elevations on both
sides.

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Hill
A hill is simply a
high-ground area.
Notice how the
contour lines
depict a three-
dimensional hill in
two dimensions.

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Saddle
A saddle is an area
between two hills where
the ground goes up on two
sides and down on two
sides. This is sometimes
called a pass, or a col.

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Valley
A valley is low ground between
higher areas.  The Vs and Us
of a valley's contour lines point
to higher ground. Often a valley
contains a water course. A
canyon is similar to a valley,
but is essentially a trench made
by flowing water, and is usually
more narrow and steeper than
a valley.

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Ridge
A ridge is a sloping high-
ground area. Whereas the Vs
and Us of contour lines
depicting a valley point to
higher ground, the Vs and Us
of a ridge's contour lines point
to lower ground. If the Vs and
Us of a feature's contour lines
intersect with a water course,
that feature is not at all likely
to be a ridge, but a valley or a
draw.

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Depression
A depression is a
sinkhole or other low
point on the terrain.
The contour lines of a
depression have
stubby lines pointing
to lower ground

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Draw
Sometimes called a "re-
entrant," a draw is a small
valley. As with a valley,
the Vs and Us of a draw's
contour lines point to
higher ground.

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Spur
A spur is sloping
high ground, often
extending out from
a ridge. As with a
ridge, the Vs and Us
of a spur's contour
lines point to lower
ground.

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Cliff
A cliff is a vertical
or almost vertical
drop-off, a feature
which a topo map
indicates by
converging, or
nearly converging,
contour lines.

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Cuts and Fills 
A cut is a man-made cut through
high ground. A fill is a man-
made fill of a low area. The
stubby lines, or tick marks, of a
cut begin at the cut, and point
toward the center of the feature,
usually a railroad track or a
roadbed. The stubby lines of a
fill extend from the fill outward
toward lower ground.

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153rd NAVAL RESERVE OFFICER CORPS.
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153rd NAVAL RESERVE OFFICER CORPS.
MIDWAY COLLEGES, INCORPORATED
Up next:
Tactical Compass Reading

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