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Compass Reading
What is a Compass?
Well, if you are a Scout or Guide, we don't have to tell you what is a compass. Anyway, a compass is an instrument used by Scouts, Guides and adventurers when they embark on a journey. A compass will show the exact direction of a place that you wish to head to.

How a Compass Works
A magnetized needle is balanced on a pinpoint free to swing around. When the needle comes to rest, it points in one direction because of a force in the earth that pulls at the needle. The earth acts as a magnet with one pole in the North and the other in the South. It is this magnetism that makes one end of the compass needle point toward Magnetic North. This end is marked as the North end by being painted red or black, shaped like an arrowhead or marked with the initial N.



Points of a Compass

Legends
N=North
E=East
S=South
W=West

Other Examples:-
NE=North East
NNE=North North East

Please note that there is a difference of
11 1/4 degrees between each compass point.