1.1.6

Directions on Maps

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Directions on Maps

Directions on a map are usually provided by a compass description, e.g. northwest.

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Compass rose

  • The face of a compass is called a compass rose.
  • Maps have a compass rose on them so you can work out the direction of routes.
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Directions on a compass rose

  • A compass rose on a map commonly has 8 points:
    • North (N), northeast (NE), east (E), southeast (SE), south (S), southwest (SW), west (W), and northwest (NW).
  • A compass rose can use more than 8 points, e.g. north northwest (NNW) which is between north and northwest.
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Directions on a map

  • A journey can be described on a map by using directions.
  • For example, the instruction could be to follow the track that heads in a north-easterly direction to reach the bridge.
  • Compass directions are sometimes given in angular bearings. Bearings are angles that are measured clockwise from north, e.g. southeast is 135°.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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