NCC Map Reading & Navigation Notes
1. What is a Map
A map is a representation of the earth or a part of it drawn on a flat surface according to a definite
scale. It shows natural features such as rivers, mountains, valleys, forests, and plains as well as
man-made features like roads, railways, buildings, and settlements. Maps are essential for navigation
and understanding terrain.
2. Types of Map
Political maps show boundaries of countries and states. Physical maps represent natural features.
Topographical maps give detailed information about terrain and relief. Military maps show tactical
details. Thematic maps display specific data like climate or population.
3. Structure of a Map
A map includes title, scale, legend, north direction, grid lines, contours, and marginal information which
help in reading and understanding the map correctly.
4. Conventional Signs
Conventional signs are standard symbols used to represent features such as roads, railways, rivers,
bridges, temples, and forests, making maps easy to read without language.
5. Military Symbols
Military symbols show positions of troops, headquarters, defensive works, obstacles, and routes on
defence maps.
6. Weapon Symbols
Weapon symbols indicate types of military equipment such as infantry, artillery, tanks, and air defence
units.
7. Scale
Scale shows the relationship between map distance and ground distance. It may be a statement scale,
representative fraction, or linear scale.
8. Technical Terms
Important terms include contour, ridge, valley, spur, saddle, watershed, and grid reference.
9. Relief
Relief is the height and shape of land shown by contour lines, shading, or spot heights.
10. Slope
Slope is the steepness of land. Close contours indicate steep slope, while wide spacing indicates gentle
slope.
11. Topography
Topography is the study of physical features of land such as hills, valleys, plains, and rivers.
12. Cardinal Points & Finding North
Cardinal points are North, South, East, and West. North can be found using a compass, sun position,
pole star, or GPS.
13. Bearing
Bearing is the direction of an object from a point measured in degrees from North ranging from 0° to
360°.
14. Forward Bearing & Back Bearing
Forward bearing is the direction from the starting point to the destination, while back bearing is the
reverse direction. Back bearing is obtained by adding or subtracting 180° from the forward bearing.
15. Prismatic Compass
A prismatic compass is an instrument used to measure magnetic bearings. It contains a magnetic
needle, prism, graduated ring, and sighting vane and is used for navigation.
16. GPS
GPS is a satellite-based navigation system used to determine exact location, latitude, longitude, and
movement.
17. Finding North
North can be found using a magnetic compass, sun shadow method, pole star at night, GPS devices,
or watch method.