Direction
KEY TERMS
Direction: The point towards which you face or move. Direction shows where one place is in relation to other places.
Compass: An instrument used to find direction; it has a magnetised needle that points north.
Compass rose: The pattern on a map that shows the direction of north; its name comes from the way points of a compass look like the arrangement of petals of a rose flower.
Direction: The point towards which you face or move. Direction shows where one place is in relation to other places.
Compass: An instrument used to find direction; it has a magnetised needle that points north.
Compass rose: The pattern on a map that shows the direction of north; its name comes from the way points of a compass look like the arrangement of petals of a rose flower.
Cardinal points: The main (cardinal) compass points are: N (north), E (east), S (south) and W (west).
Intermediate points: Points that give more specific direction.
Intermediate points: Points that give more specific direction.
The figure (right) shows 16 points on the compass rose:
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Maps should always have North up, unless it is a special purpose map. Check which way north is by finding the arrow and 'North' or 'N' on the map.
A magnetic compass is an instrument used to find direction. It has a magnetised needle that will always point to the Earth's magnetic north pole.
To locate north, position the magnetic compass so that the needle points towards the 'N' marked n the face of the compass.
A magnetic compass can be used in association with a map. Orientate the map by laying out the map and turning it around until the magnetic north arrow in the map is the same as the north points shown on the compass.
To locate north, position the magnetic compass so that the needle points towards the 'N' marked n the face of the compass.
A magnetic compass can be used in association with a map. Orientate the map by laying out the map and turning it around until the magnetic north arrow in the map is the same as the north points shown on the compass.
Finding South at Night
At night the Southern Cross constellation can be used to find direction. Locate the five stars of the Southern Cross and the two bright 'pointers' (Alpha and Beta Centauri). Project a line through the axis of the Southern Cross and another at right angles to a line joining the two pointers. Where these two lines intersect, extend a line directly to the horizon. |
Some information & figures source: Kleeman, Grant. 2014. Skills in Geography: Australian Curriculum. Cambridge University Press.