One of the oldest systematic methods of location is based upon the geographic coordinate system. The distance of a point north or south of the equator is known as its latitude. The rings around the earth parallel to the equator are called parallels. A second set of rings around the globe passing through the poles is known as meridians of longitude. A meridian is designated as the PM. The four lines that enclose the body of the map are latitude and longitude lines.
The U.S. Army military grid reference system reduces the length of written coordinates by substituting single letters for several numbers. Based on the military principle for reading maps (RIGHT and UP), locations on the map can be determined by grid coordinates. Each of grid lines is labeled at both ends of the map with its false easting or false northing (distance north of the equator) value.
Map classification
Maps are documents that must not fall into unauthorized hands. All maps should be considered as documents, classified or unclassified, requiring special handling. If a map is in danger of being captured, it must be destroyed. The best method of destruction is by burning it and scattering the ashes. If burning is not possible, the map can be torn into small pieces and scattered over a wide area. The U.S. Government has three security classifications: Confidential, Restricted, and Top Secret. This is shown in the upper and lower margins.
Aerial Photographs
The aerial photograph has many uses in military operations; however, they are considered primarily as a map supplement or map substitute. An aerial photograph is any photograph taken from an airborne vehicle (aircraft, drones, balloons, satellites, and so forth). Aerial photography may be divided into two major types, the vertical and the oblique. Vertical aerial photography is taken over flat terrain and used for the purpose of updating field sketches. blique erial photography is used primarily in the making of aeronautical charts. Low oblique does not show the horizon. In high oblique the horizon is always visible. They are used to study an area before an attack, to substitute for a reconnaissance. A topographic map may be obsolete because it was compiled many years ago. However, the aerial photograph has the following disadvantages as compared to a map: ground features are difficult to interpret without symbols; it lacks marginal data; position location and scale are only approximate.
| s | Answer the questions |
1. What is cartography?
2. Why is it essential for all soldiers to be able to read and interpret the maps?
3. What is a map?
4. How is a map made to represent features found on the ground?
5. What methods do mapmakers use to depict relief of the terrain?
6. What is the classification of maps by scale?
7. What types of maps facilitate the land navigation?
8. What data are included into marginal information?
9. What system is used to determine the location on the map in US Army?
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10. What is the difference between an aerial photograph and a map?
| > | Read, decipher and translate abbreviations |
DMA; RF; PM; MN; GN; TN
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| Translate into Ukrainian |
Topography; chart; map; special purpose map; photomap; planimetric map; situation map; landing beach; field sketches; scale; small scale; large scale; bar scale; ground distance; graphic scale; grid; grid line; azimuth; magnetic azimuth; false northing(easting) value; geographic coordinate system; parallel; contour line; supplementary contour; marginal information; elevation; elevation guide; mean sea level; vertical position; true north; grid line; point; representative fraction; arbitrary system; legend; military symbol; plot; compilation of map; aerial photography; oblique aerial photography; low oblique; aerial photograph; military feature; physical feature; portion of the earth's surface; urban area; conventional sign; mapmaker; natural shape feature; terrain model; relief shading; shadow effect; map substitute; hachure; airborne vehicle; pace count; special handling; map requisition; to determine locations of points on a map; to be legible; to depict relief of the terrain; to be obsolete; to express the known physical features by maps and charts; complexities of tactical operations; to complement map reading procedures; equal to one natural step; to plot every feature of the area in true shape; to provide information on the existence, and the distance between urban area and routes of travel; to affect the movement and positioning of military units; to use broken lines to show relief; to be considered primarily as a map supplement or map substitute; to cover a very large ground area.
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| Translate into English |
; ; ; ; - ; ; ; ; ; ( ); ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; () ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; [] ; (); ; () ; ; ; ; ( ); ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , (. , ); ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ( ); ; ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; .
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| Translate quickly |
; cartography; ; aeronautical chart; ; standard map; ; topographic map; , ; military city map; ; operations map; ; drainage characteristic; ( ); cross-country movement; ; fraction; ; numerical scale; ; medium scale; ; in conjunction with; ; unit of measure; ; omission of relief; ; cross-tie; ; grid reference system; ; gridcoordinates; ; grid azimuth; ; read RIGHT and UP; ; by substituting; ; latitude; ; meridians of longitude; ; adjacent contour; ; contour interval; ; lower right margin; ; spot elevation; ; vertical datum plane; ; map sheet; ; declination diagram; ; grid north; ; magnetic north; ; prime meridian; () ; Defense Mapping Agency; ; reference number; ; topographic map symbol; () ; label; (); magnifying glass; ; sheet number; ; vertical aerial photography; ; high oblique; ( ); photomosaic; ; terrain feature; ; installation; ; graphic representation; ; extent of vegetation cover; ; map requisitions and distributions; ; relief; ; field movement techniques; ; linear feature; ; overlay; ; layer tinting; ; map supplement; , ; assault landing; ; land navigation; ; drone; ; classified; ; scattering the ashes; ; to be able to read and interpretthe map; ; to draw to scale; ; to exaggerate in size; ; to convert distances on the map to actual ground distances; ( ).
| A | Build up your vocabulary |
| hidden area | |
| draw | |
| clearing | |
| right bank | |
| left bank | |
| flow | |
| crossroad | |
| bluff | ; ; |
| road fork | |
| forward slope | |
| reverse slope | |
| culvert | |
| fill | |
| topographical crest | |
| ravine | |
| valey | |
| peak | |
| ridge | |
| saddle | |
| arable land | ; |
| mesa | |
| underpass | ; |
| unimproved road | ; |
| paved road | |
| deciduous trees | |
| steep slope | ; ; |
| knoll | |
| skyline |
| N | Translate at sight |
Interpreting Foreign Maps
The use of foreign maps poses several problems to the land navigator. The classification and symbols for vegetation on most foreign maps are different to those used on DMA maps. The symbols that depict the various types of vegetation differ greatly from one foreign map to another.
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After discussing the many difficulties and limited advantages encountered when using foreign maps, it is only appropriate that some strategy be offered to help you with the task. The DMA suggested a five-step process for reading and interpreting foreign maps
Step 1. There are generally four dates: survey and compilation, publication, printing and reprinting, and revision. The date of the survey and compilation is most important.
Step 2. Note whether the publisher is military, government, or civilian. Maps published by the government or the military are generally most accurate.
Step 3. The composition will reveal the map's accuracy. Was care taken in the cartography? Are symbols and labels properly placed? Is the draftsmanship precise? Is the coastline or river bank detailed?
Step 4. Observe the map's color. Does it enhance your understanding or does it obscure and confuse?
Step 5. As an accomplished navigator, you should already have a good understanding of your area of operations, so translation of the map's symbols should not present an impossible task. Begin to decode the various map colors, symbols, and terms. Use your notebook to develop an English version of the legend or create a new legend of your own.
Foreign maps generally use contour lines to portray terrain relief, but the contour intervals may range from 5 to 100 meters. Scales found on foreign maps include 1:25,000, 1:50,000 1:75,000, and 1:100,000. Most foreign large-scale topographic maps have been overprinted with 1,000-meter grid squares.
| O | Translate by ear |
, . , , . - , , , - . ϳ , .
50-100 . . ϳ : , , , . 1:50000. , . , () , , . .
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