How to read a map?

Introduction
Maps are visual representations of an area.Maps describe how objects in an area are located in relationship to each other, and can be extremely useful in navigation. Maps come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, depending on the map's purpose. Let's take a closer look at maps and how to read them.
Purposes
A map can be anything from a simple sketch to show a visitor how to find your school or home to a detailed map of a city or mountain range. Maps help a person visualize what a place looks like, and what he can expect to see on his journey through it. They aid in getting us where we're going quickly and safely.
Symbols
When viewing a common map, you'll find a lot of landmarks need to be labeled or marked according to category, such as schools, churches, or hospitals.
If each landmark had to be labeled, maps would be very cluttered and confusing with the excessive writing. The solution is to use different colors, shapes, and symbols to mark roads, buildings, rivers, and other notable landmarks.
Key/Legend
Maps usually have a key,most often called the legend,to explain what each symbol,color,etc.,represents.If you’re unsure of what a symbol on the map is,simply check the legend.
Direction
It's vital to know which direction you're facing when using a map. Just like it's important to know which is your left hand and which is your right, you should understand which way is north, east, south, and west. Maps are more often than not made with north at the top of the map, but not always, so be sure to check the compass on the map to be sure.
Grids
Many maps will also use grid references to help people find places. These grid lines help to pinpoint exact locations anywhere on the map using given numbers called grid references. Vertical lines are called eastings because they increase in value as you move east (or right) on the map.
Horizontal lines are called northings because they increase as you travel north.
Four-Figure Grids
Four-figure grids are useful in identifying a specific square on a map. Maps are often accompanied by an index listing landmarks, and the coordinates of the square they can be found in. The coordinate is a two figure number. To find the square, first go along the eastings until you find the correct number stated in the coordinate, then go up the northings until finding the appropriate numbers.Letters may also be used instead of numbers.
Scale
The scale of a map tells you how much you would have to enlarge the map to get it to match the actual size of the area it represents. For example, if the scale is 1:50,000, it means that one centimeter represents 50,000 centimeters (or 500 meters) on the actual ground.
Maps can use a wide range of scales, depending on the area it represents. If a map was scaled 1:25,000, it's good for walking and relatively smaller areas. A map with a 1:250,000 scale will show much more land, but less detail, and is more appropriate for driving.
Elevation
Mountains and hills, or elevations, can also be represented on maps. This is usually done with contour lines.
Contour lines are lines drawn on a map that join points of equal heights, generally in reference to sea level. The interval between the contour lines can vary, depending on how much the elevations vary in the area the map represents.
Types of maps
There are a wide range of maps that deal with much more than a specific area. Maps can represent the entire earth, the ocean floor, the galaxy and beyond, even the human brain!