Maps and Directions
"Navigate with the sun, compasses, and map symbols."
A Today you'll learn
- Identify the four cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and intermediate points
- Understand how a compass works and how the sun helps determine directions
- Read basic maps using keys, symbols, scales, and landmarks
B Let's understand
Directions help us find places and navigate without getting lost. There are four main cardinal directions: North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W). The sun is nature’s great compass: if you stand facing the morning sunrise, you are looking East. Your back faces West, your left hand points North, and your right hand points South. A magnetic compass always has a needle pointing North because of Earth’s magnetic pull. A map is a drawing of an area or the whole world on a flat surface seen from above. Maps use symbols, colours, and a map key (legend) to show landmarks like rivers, roads, schools, and hospitals.
C See it step by step
- The sun sets in the West, so facing the sunset means facing West.
- When facing West, your right hand points North.
- Your left hand points South, and behind you is East.
- Real buildings are too large and detailed to fit on a miniature flat drawing.
- Simple symbols (like a cross for a hospital or a tent for a camp) take little space and are universally understood.
- The map key or legend explains what every symbol stands for.
D Your turn
E Ready to practise?
Key idea 1
The four main cardinal directions are North, South, East, and West.
Key idea 2
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
On any standard map
On any standard map, North is at the top, South is at the bottom, East is on the right, and West is on the left.
Key idea 4
A magnetic compass has a needle that always settles pointing toward magnetic North.
Key idea 5
A map key (legend) explains what the colours and symbols on a map represent.