Map Skills: Compass Rose and Scale

Grade 3 · Social Studies · Study Guide

Learn how to use a compass rose and map scale to read and understand maps.

Maps are drawings that show what places look like from above. To read a map correctly, you need to understand special tools and symbols.

A compass rose is a symbol on a map that shows direction. It has points that show North, South, East, and West. These are called the cardinal directions. A compass rose may also show the intermediate directions: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. North is usually toward the top of a map.

A map scale helps you figure out real distances between places on a map. A scale might show that one inch on the map equals one mile in real life. If two cities are three inches apart on the map, they are really three miles apart. Scales can use inches, centimeters, or a drawn bar.

Maps also have a legend, which is also called a key. The legend explains what the symbols and colors on the map mean. For example, a blue line might mean a river, and a star might mean a capital city.

Learning to read maps helps you understand where places are, how to travel from one place to another, and how large or small different areas are. Map skills are important for geography, history, and everyday life.

Key terms

compass rose
A symbol on a map that shows the four main directions: North, South, East, and West
cardinal directions
The four main directions on a compass: North, South, East, and West
map scale
A feature on a map that shows how distances on the map compare to real distances
legend
A box on a map that explains what the symbols and colors mean; also called a map key
intermediate directions
The four directions between the cardinal directions: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest

Flashcards

compass rose
Map symbol showing North, South, East, and West
cardinal directions
North, South, East, West — the four main directions
intermediate directions
Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest
map scale
Compares map distance to real distance
legend
Explains map symbols and colors; also called map key
North
The direction usually shown at the top of a map
map key
Another name for the map legend
symbol
A picture or mark on a map that stands for something real

Questions

  1. What does a compass rose show on a map?

    1. The distance between cities
    2. The directions: North, South, East, and West
    3. The meaning of map symbols
    4. The height of mountains
    Show answer

    Answer: The directions: North, South, East, and West

    A compass rose shows the four cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and sometimes intermediate directions.

  2. North is usually shown at the bottom of a map.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    On most maps, North is shown at the top, not the bottom.

  3. The four main directions — North, South, East, and West — are called the ________ directions.

    Show answer

    Answer: cardinal

    North, South, East, and West are the four cardinal directions.

  4. A map scale is used to find out what?

    1. What colors mean on a map
    2. Which direction is north
    3. The real distance between places
    4. The names of rivers
    Show answer

    Answer: The real distance between places

    A map scale lets you calculate real-world distances based on measurements on the map.

  5. A map legend explains what the symbols and colors on a map mean.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    The legend (or map key) is a guide that explains what all the symbols and colors on a map represent.

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