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Course Outline

  • Topographic maps are drawn to true north (North Pole). However, a compass points to magnetic north, which is in the Hudson Bay area. The difference between true north and magnetic north is called “declination.”
  • When true north and magnetic north are aligned, which is 0 degrees declination, the compass needle points to true north. If you're east or west of 0 degrees declination, the compass is not in line with true north.
  • A diagram on topographic maps shows whether magnetic north is to the east or west of true north and by how many degrees.
  • You can correct for declination when you use a compass and a map to take a bearing.
Compass declination
  • Unit 5 of 6
  • Topic 2 of 4
  • Page 3 of 5