Map Reading
Scale Bars, Ratios and the Distance Between Two Points
Scale bars and map ratios turn a measured line into ground distance, helping you judge whether a route is a short walk…
The full map shelf
All articles
Explore Meridian and Mile's articles on reading maps, understanding routes and noticing how geography is represented.
Navigation
Paper Map or Screen Map for a Planned Journey?
Paper map or screen map planning depends on the journey: compare overview, detail, and route changes to choose a…
Landforms
Why Contour Lines Gather on Steep Ground
Why contour lines gather on steep ground: read the spacing, spot slope changes, and compare route options without…
Place Names
The Street Name That Outlasts the Street
Learn how an old street name can point toward earlier land use or settlement, and how to investigate its clues without…
Map Reading
Three Map-Legend Habits That Lead Readers Astray
Map legend habits can distort what a map says. Learn to check symbol meanings, units, and context before drawing…
Our point of view
A map is a view, not the whole place.
We make map choices easier to notice: what is shown, what is simplified and how a reader can make sense of the result.