A map is a selective representation of a place. Symbols, colours, orientation, and scale help you interpret it, but every map leaves out some detail. Start by checking what the map is designed to show. Use the legend to identify symbols and the scale to relate map distance to ground distance. Check the direction indicator rather than assuming the top always represents north. Distinguish straight-line distance from the distance along a road or path. A tourist map may emphasise landmarks and simplify geometry, while a topographic map represents terrain through contours and other symbols. A map can also be outdated. For any real journey, use current local information and do not treat a simplified sketch as a precise navigation tool. Practice: Choose a map and explain three symbols, its scale, and one detail it omits. Compare two routes without assuming the shorter drawn line is the quicker journey.