Map reading is the skill of interpreting and understanding maps to navigate from one location to another. Maps use symbols, colors, and lines to represent various features of the landscape, such as roads, rivers, and mountains. Familiarity with the map's legend helps users identify what each symbol means, making it easier to plan routes and find destinations. To read a map effectively, one must also understand scale, which indicates the relationship between distances on the map and actual distances on the ground. Additionally, knowing how to use a compass can enhance navigation skills, allowing for accurate orientation and direction finding in relation to the North Star or geographic features.