Calculating true bearing in geography involves finding the angle between true north (the geographic north pole) and a point of interest. Bearings are measured in degrees, moving clockwise from true north.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify True North and Reference Point

• On a map, find true north (usually indicated by a north arrow) and the point of interest.
• Draw a line from your starting point to the point of interest. This line will represent the direction you want to measure.

2. Use a Protractor to Measure the Angle

• Place the center of the protractor at the starting point (where you’re measuring from).
• Align the 0° line of the protractor with true north (upward direction on most maps).
• Measure the angle clockwise from true north to the line pointing toward your point of interest.

3. Record the True Bearing in Degrees

• The angle you’ve measured is the true bearing of the point from your starting position.
• True bearings are typically written in three digits to avoid confusion. For example:
  • 45° would be written as 045°
  • 125° remains 125°
  • 305° remains 305°

Example

Suppose you want to calculate the true bearing from Point A to Point B:

1. Draw a line from Point A (starting point) to Point B (destination).
2. Place the protractor’s center on Point A, aligning the 0° line with true north.
3. Measure clockwise from true north to the line pointing to Point B.
4. If the angle is 120°, the true bearing from A to B is 120°.

True bearings are essential in navigation as they give precise directions relative to the geographic north, making them highly reliable for orientation and map reading.