Geography

Study of Earth's landscapes, environments, and human-environment interactions.

Study Strategies

Map Reading and Interpretation

Mastering Map Skills

Map reading is a key geography skill! Learn to understand symbols, scales, and directions so you can find your way anywhere. Practice reading different types of maps—political, physical, and thematic—to uncover all kinds of information about a place.

Tips

  • Always check the map key (legend) for symbols.
  • Use the compass rose to find north, south, east, and west.
  • Compare the map scale to real distances to estimate travel times.

Examples

  • Using a physical map to locate mountain ranges during a quiz.

  • Interpreting a road map to plan a family road trip.