Top Navigation Flashcards

The ancient Polynesians, without compasses or GPS units, somehow lashed boats together and crossed the Pacific Ocean to colonize Hawai’i, the world’s most remote island chain. How could they have accomplished this? Modern people would almost certainly die if they attempted it without the aid of modern technology. But the Polynesians had plenty of courage and, of course, a flair for navigation.

Navigation is the skill of getting from where you are to where you want to be. Ancient people, like the Polynesians, did it using the stars and possibly by following migratory animals. Today, we use compasses, maps, and GPS. But the basic questions are still the same. How can I determine which way I need to go? And how can I make sure that I continue going in that direction and don’t get turned around? If I make a mistake, how can I correct it? To answer these questions, whether you’re driving to the corner store or sailing across the Pacific, you need to know something about navigation.
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