Briefly describe the function of the map and talk about how to determine the direction on the map.

After thousands of years of development, maps are enduring, and from the development of cartography, we can know that even in the future, maps will still play an irreplaceable role, which is a problem worthy of in-depth consideration. In fact, this shows the existence and development of maps, because maps themselves have many powerful functions. From a philosophical point of view, these functions are the inevitable result of our understanding and active use of objective laws to transform society. This can not only be solved by improving the production technology, expression method and artistic appeal of maps, but also the progress of modern science and technology, the introduction of electronic computing technology and automation technology, the application of information theory and model theory, and the mutual penetration of various disciplines have promoted the rapid development of cartography and given new contents to the functions of maps.

Positioning on the map, the basic directions on the map are: east, south, west, north, southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest. The representation on the map is as follows:

Universal pointing method

Facing the map, the upper part is north, the lower part is south, the left part is west, and the right part is east. (General maps such as topographic maps are contour lines/depth maps)

Latitude and longitude pointing method

Longitude indicates the north-south direction and latitude indicates the southeast direction.

Pointer pointing method

On a map without latitude and longitude, the arrow pointing to the target usually points to the north. (Small-scale maps, such as city maps and campus maps)