Orienteering is a unique sport that combines compass and map reading with walking and running in a cross-country race in which participants navigate an unfamiliar course.
The sport began in Sweden in 1917.
Terms
Terms
Angle of declination- The angle representing the difference between magnetic north and true (or geographic) north. True or Grid north is a fixed location (the North Pole) whereas magnetic north is a shifting location, usually identified in the Hudson Bay area of Canada.
Attack Point- An identifiable feature that serves as a guide in navigation to the control point.
Bearing- A direction of a given point measured in degrees from north going in a clockwise direction.
Control Point- The marker or place to be located in orienteering. It is designated on a map.
Geographical Map- A regular map that shows a flat portion of the earth’s surface using conventional signs, longitude and latitude degrees, and true north or geographical north.
Topographical maps- A map that shows a portion of the earth’s surface in reduced form and gives both man made features ( roads, buildings, etc.) and natural features (lakes, cliffs, etc.) plotted to a definite scale.
Silva system- A system designed by the Swedes combining the use of a Silva compass and topographical map to quickly identify routes to get from one point to another
Pace- the distance equal to 2 steps
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