Land Navigation/Map Reading Study Guide

Questions and Answers

What is the Field Manual for map reading and land navigation?

FM 3-25.26

What are the basic colors of a map, and what does each color represent?

Black, Red-Brown, Blue, Green, Brown, Red, Other

What are military symbols?

Figures used to represent types of military organizations, installations, and activities.

Where is the Legend of the map found?

Lower left margin Signup and view all the answers

What are contour lines?

Imaginary lines on the ground connecting equal elevation. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 types of contour lines?

Index, Intermediate, Supplementary Signup and view all the answers

How many mils are in one degree?

17.7 mils Signup and view all the answers

How many North's are there on a military map?

Three: True north, Magnetic north, Grid north Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a hill?

Concentric circles Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a saddle?

Hourglass Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a valley?

U-shaped or V-shaped Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a ridge?

U-shaped or V-shaped Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a depression?

Closed contour lines with tick marks pointing toward low ground Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a draw?

U-shaped or V-shaped, pointing toward high ground Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a spur?

U or V pointing away from high ground Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a cliff?

Very close together or touching each other Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a cut?

Length of the cut with tick marks extending towards the roadbed Signup and view all the answers

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a fill?

Length of the filled area with tick marks pointing toward lower ground Signup and view all the answers

What must be done to a map before it can be used?

It must be oriented. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5 major terrain features found on a map?

Hill, Ridge, Valley, Saddle, Depression Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 minor terrain features found on a military map?

Draw, Spur, Cliff Signup and view all the answers

What are the 2 supplementary terrain features found on a military map?

Cut, Fill Signup and view all the answers

What is a map?

A graphic representation of a portion of the earth's surface drawn to scale. Signup and view all the answers

What is an azimuth?

A horizontal angle, measured in a clockwise manner from a north base line. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

FM 3-25.26 is the Field Manual for map reading and land navigation.

Basic Map Colors

Black: Man-made features (buildings, roads), surveyed spot elevations, all labels.
Red-Brown: Cultural features and all relief features, non-surveyed spot elevations, contour lines on red-light readable maps.
Blue: Hydrography (lakes, rivers, swamps).
Green: Vegetation significant to military operations (woods, orchards).
Brown: Relief features and elevation contours, cultivated land on red-light readable maps.
Red: Cultural features like populated areas and main roads on older maps.
Other Colors: Occasionally used for special information, indicated in marginal notes.

Military Symbols

Represent types of military organizations, installations, and activities.

Map Legend

Located in the lower left margin of the map.

Contour Lines

Imaginary lines connecting equal elevation, indicating high and low ground.
Types of contour lines include:
- Index: Main lines, usually labeled.
- Intermediate: Lines between index lines.
- Supplementary: Dashed lines, rarely labeled.

Angular Measurement

One degree equals 17.7 mils.

Types of North on Military Maps

True North: Geographic north pole.
Magnetic North: Direction a compass points.
Grid North: Orientation of the grid lines on a map.

Contour Line Shapes and Features

Hill: Concentric circles; hilltop at the smallest closed circle.
Saddle: Hourglass shape.
Valley: U-shaped or V-shaped lines.
Ridge: U or V shaped, with closed end pointing away from high ground.
Depression: Closed contour lines with tick marks pointing low.
Draw: U or V shaped, pointing toward high ground.
Spur: U or V pointing away from high ground.
Cliff: Contour lines very close together.
Cut: Line with tick marks extending to the roadbed.
Fill: Line with tick marks pointing toward lower ground.

Map Orientation

A map must be oriented before use.

Major Terrain Features

Hill
Ridge
Valley
Saddle
Depression

Minor Terrain Features

Draw
Spur
Cliff

Supplementary Terrain Features

Cut
Fill

Definition of a Map

A graphic representation of the earth's surface drawn to scale, viewed from above.

Azimuth

A horizontal angle, measured clockwise from a north baseline.

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Description

Test your knowledge on land navigation and map reading with this flashcard quiz based on the Army Board Study Guide. Learn about essential field manuals and the significance of map colors in navigation.