Map Facts: The Ultimate Map-Using Guide

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Map Facts provides more information about cartographic materials than
most of us will ever need to know. The book, which is impeccably
organized, is divided into 18 sections covering direction, measurements,
compass and bearings, maps, the norths, protractor, contours, scales,
latitude and longitude, projections, air photos, finding direction,
instructing, map and compass at night, orienteering, and map games. Each
section concludes with practice exercises that feature highly detailed
instructions.

There are many potential audiences for Map Facts. One can imagine using
the book to instruct a senior-level Boy Scout or Girl Guide troop in map
and compass usage. In addition to instructions on map folding, there is
a two-page explanation of conventional map symbols and plenty of
black-and-white illustrations that clarify the points being made. At the
same time, the book also presents the kind of detail that would be
required only by serious map users. For example, the section on compass
use contains detailed instructions on “offsetting for magnetic to grid
variation” and shooting and plotting a ground bearing. Map Facts could
be used as a supplementary textbook in geography courses and as a
reference for map librarians. Highly recommended for all academic,
public, and high-school libraries.