Directions on Maps
Geography: KS3, topic 1.1.6
Directions on Maps
Directions on a map are usually provided by a compass description, e.g. northwest.
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.
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.
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°.
Test yourself on Directions on Maps
Which direction is abbreviated with SE on a compass rose?
Which direction are bearings measured from?