MAP READING

      A map is a representation of the earth or part of it, or of the heavens on a plain or flat surface, usually on such such a educed scale. A map generally represents land areas with water surfaces shown only incidentally.

      A chart is associated with navigation where its first concern is to represent the waters of the world - their depths, currents and other aids to navigation - but the wor dis now associated with a new tool - the air chart, used by pilots for navigation in the air over both land and sea.

THUMB RULE IN MAP READING

      The simple methods are as follows:

*Directional signs

*Bearing

*Distance

*Instrument

*Maps/Plans

1.  Directional signs.  "Always know your prime universal directions or determine your bearing and orient yourself with the map or plan in order to locate where you are in the subject site."

a.  Determine the cardinal directions or reference points towards the true North (N), South (S), East (E) and to the West (W).

b.  A manual magnetic compass is a very useful instrument in determining your magnetic bearing or line of orientation towards any given direction.

2.  Bearing -  Bearing is the angle in North or South towards any given direction whichever is nearest and is derived from a true azimuth from the South ( 0 degree) measured clockwise.

3.  Distance is the measurement or dimension in meter and/or centimeters or the property lines in between two corners or 2 points.

4.  Plans - graphic and flat representations of the land surface and structures or landmarks which are normally prepared and drawn in different scales for various uses and follows:

a.  Planning aspects for subdivision developments and other facilities or infrastructures.

b.  Legal aspects for approval requirements of the Land Management Bureau (LMB), Land Registration Authority (LRA) and Housing Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

c.  Marketing aspects for reference in marketing operation and sales inventory lists.

d.  Travel guides for reference to directional and locational needs.

      Some of the basic information from a plan are as follows:

a.  Survey symbol

b.  Name of claimant

c.  Location of Land

d.  Legal authority

e.  Name of surveyor

f.  Description of corner lot

g.  Description of point reference

h.  Bearing and distance of point reference to point 1

i.  Bearing and distance of boundary line in consecutive order

j.  Area in square meters

k.  Description of corners as marked on the ground

l.  Names of adjoining owners or lot numbers of adjoining lots

m.  Date of survey

n.  Date of approval

o.  Name of approving officer

p.  Scale of plan