On a typical map, north is always at the top of the map; east is to the right of north; west is to the left of north; and south is at the bottom. To read a map you need a legend, scale, grid, and sometimes an index. The legend explains the symbols and colors. A scale shows the relationship between distances. The grid is a network of lines that enable you to identify the exact location of any point on Earth.

To find a place on a map, look for an index to get the coordinates for that location. Coordinates are simply the numbers associated with the latitude and longitude lines that cross at a particular location. When you find the coordinates for your destination, go to the map, find where the lines that have those numbers cross; and that's your location.

The grid consists of lines that run east to west, called latitude lines, and lines that run north and south, called longitude lines. Latitude and longitude lines are numbered.

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Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov