It includes determining your location relative to the sides of the horizon and prominent terrain objects (landmarks), maintaining a given or selected direction of movement towards certain object. The ability to navigate the terrain is especially necessary when you are in sparsely populated and unfamiliar areas.

You can navigate by, by, by the stars. Landmarks can also serve as various objects of natural (, tree) or artificial (lighthouse, tower) origin.

When orienting on a map, it is necessary to link the image on the map with a real object. The easiest way is to go to the river bank or road, and then rotate the map until the direction of the line (road, river) on the map matches the direction of the line on the ground. Items located to the right and left of the line should be on the same sides as on the map.

Compass orientation is used mainly in areas that are difficult to navigate (in, in), where it is usually difficult to find landmarks. Under these conditions, the compass determines the direction to the north, and the map is placed with the upper side of the frame towards the north so that the vertical line of the coordinate grid of the map coincides with the longitudinal axis of the magnetic needle of the compass. It must be remembered that the compass readings can be affected by metal objects, power lines and electronic devices located in the immediate vicinity.

After the location on the ground is determined, you need to determine the direction of movement and (deviation of the direction of movement in degrees from the compass to). If the route is not a straight line, then you need to accurately determine the distance after which you need to change direction. You can also select a specific landmark on the map and, after finding it on the ground, change the direction of movement from it.

In the absence of a compass, the cardinal directions can be determined as follows:

• the bark of most trees is rougher and darker on the north side;
• on coniferous trees, resin is more commonly accumulated on the south side;
• annual rings on fresh stumps on the north side are located closer to each other;
• on the north side, trees, stones, stumps, etc. earlier and more abundantly covered with lichens, fungi;
• anthills are located on the south side of trees, stumps and bushes, the southern slope of anthills is gentle, the northern slope is steep;
• in summer, near large stones, buildings, trees and bushes, it is drier on the south side;
• y separately standing trees the crowns are more magnificent and thicker on the south side;
• altars Orthodox churches, chapels and Lutheran kirok are facing east, and the main entrances are located on the west side;
• the raised end of the lower crossbar of the churches faces north.

Sometimes, being in the conditions wildlife, it is necessary to have such skills as orientation in space. When you urgently need to determine the cardinal directions relative to yourself, knowledge will come to the rescue to be able to navigate in the forest without a map and compass, or only with a compass. This will be discussed.

How to navigate without a map

Being in the forest without a map, do not rush to panic, there are:

By compass

As you approach the forest, turn your face in the direction you are going to go. Take the compass, and, holding it strictly horizontal, turn it so that the letter N on the dial is shifted by the north end to the compass needle. While strictly maintaining this alignment (a fundamental requirement when using a compass), look at which number on the compass dial is on the side you are going to go. If it shows 60, it means that the azimuth is 60. Azimuth is the direction in degrees. Azimuth is determined if the direction is already determined visually. Suitable when it is necessary to control the straightness of the movement in the direction.

Orientation by heavenly bodies

1. Stars. To navigate by the stars, you need to find the bucket of the Big Dipper. It consists of 7 bright stars. Mentally connect the 2 extreme stars, on the continuation of the line passing between them, set aside five of the same segments. You will see the polar star. It is above the northern side of the horizon. You can also check out the.
2. The sun. If you stand facing the rising sun, the left will be north and the right south. With the help of shadows. Find a branch about a meter long and stick it vertically into the ground. Mark every 15 minutes the tip of the shadow. The shortest shadow indicates the noon line, i.e. north or south. Determination of directions to the sides of the horizon by compass, celestial bodies, signs of local objects. Another way to navigate the heavenly body - read more in our article.

Orientation without a map

In nature, there are many natural landmarks. All of them are inaccurate, like heavenly bodies, if you find several clues at the same time, then the chance of accuracy increases. Let's look at some of the tips.

1. Moss. Moss does not like direct sunlight, warm places and is located from the northern part of the trees. It is important not to make a mistake in a dense forest, where there is little light, moss grows on all sides of the trees. If it grows around a tree, this is not the best way to get oriented. If moss grows on several trees on one side, it will be northern.
2. Tree branches. The longest branch of the tree will point to the warmest and sunniest side - the south. Crown of trees. Long branches in one direction, short ones in the other. Short - point to the north. If you look at a tree near the clearing, all the trees will stretch with long branches towards the clearing. If all the trees in a dense forest point in one direction, this is the south.
3. Anthill. Pay attention to its sides, they will be different in steepness. The short side of the anthill is directed to the cold side of the forest (north), the long and gentle side to the sunny side (south). You can read more about how to navigate the anthill on our website.

Anthill

It is important to understand why you need to understand which side of you is north or south. If you are sure that there is a settlement, a railway or a river to the north of the forest, then knowledge will help you get to them.

If you absolutely do not know where you are, it is better to stay overnight, build a shelter and build a fire.

A few simple rules to avoid getting lost

1. Warn loved ones where you are going before going to the forest.
2. Dress brightly so that you can be clearly seen against the green forest background.
3. Carry your phone, knife, matches, compass or watch with you. You should take a well-charged battery for your phone.
4. If someone close to you does not get in touch for a long time, urgently call the rescue service.

If you get lost. First, calm down, panic will aggravate the situation. Try to remember the largest and most remarkable objects that are most likely to come out of the forest. Determine the cardinal direction according to the signs described in the article, and go in the direction in which the desired object should be located.

If you come to the railroad, river or path, then they will definitely lead you to the settlement. If it's a river, you need to go with the flow. If you don't know the area, try climbing tall tree. Don't forget to be careful. From a height, it is possible to see various objects, such as towers.

So, once again briefly. If you get lost, don't panic. If you are sure that they are looking for you, stay where you are. Not only your behavior is important, but also what you are wearing. Pants must be tucked into shoes. The jacket must be elasticated on the sleeves and at the torso. Clothing should be tight.

If you do not remember any of the above methods, you can, for example, using resin, which is known to protrude on the south side of the tree. You can look for an anthill, which is also most often located in the south. Look closely at the colors of the bark of trees such as birch and pine, in the north it is usually darker than in the south. In addition, in the north, rocks, stones and cobblestones are most covered with moss.

Ways of orientation by natural features and objects

How do people navigate the area? Sometimes such a question is asked, it is worth remembering that there are several main ways here, this is orientation by the moon, sun, stars, local buildings, compass and map and shadow.

By compass

There are situations when you need to find out your location and pave the way, but the road is unknown, and you only have a compass with you. This is not scary, because it is possible to navigate without a map.

• First of all, you need to choose a landmark, which can be a clear object, preferably with a certain length, for example, a river, a road or railway, a high hill.
• After determining the landmark, you need to move away from it in a perpendicular direction, but leaving it visible to you.
• Stand facing the reference object and put the compass into operation. Turn it until the index arrow is parallel to the zero scale, that is, until they match.
• Mentally draw a straight line in the center of the compass to the landmark. We fix the azimuth of the return, the reverse side of the line will show the direction of movement.
• During the journey, you need to constantly monitor so as not to deviate from the direction chosen by the compass.
• Read more about it on our website.

Following this action plan, you can design a whole route, consisting of landmarks, most importantly, fix the azimuth values. In case of return, you will need to turn forward, put the compass in such a position that the fly pointer points forward, and turn around with it so that the north of the arrow coincides with the north of the scale. After that, continue straight ahead.

Using a compass near a buildup of metal, railways or thunderstorms are not desirable, at this time the data will be distorted. In addition, it is not recommended to rely on compass data near power lines.

Such restrictions are due to the fact that the compass reacts to a magnetic field, and near the metal it will be overestimated and the arrow of the orientation device will only lead you astray, as it will deviate towards the accumulation of metal objects.

Without a compass

If you do not have a compass handy, you can determine your location using a map by coordinates. To do this, first you need to determine these same coordinates, and therefore find out the latitude and longitude.

• Latitude is the distance from the equator to the desired point.
• Longitude is the distance from Greenwich to the desired point.

All parallels and meridians are marked on the map with specific numbers - degrees, so to find the desired point, you need to take the latitude and longitude data at its intersection. To find out the location on the map, you just need to go to any Internet services with online maps and enter the received values.

The information you are looking for will appear in front of you, and the place will be marked with a special symbol.

By map

Determine the sides of the horizon, this will help to give the map the correct position so that it reflects the real position of the surrounding area. The important thing here is that the north of the maps is standardly at the top, there are exceptions, but most often this is the case. The easiest way to navigate is:

• highway;
• railway;
• river.

If there are no such landmarks nearby, then you should look for any outstanding landmark that will help you use the map and continue on your way.

Consider the weather and climatic conditions when choosing guidelines. If a building is shown on the map, it does not mean that it stands here and in this moment, because it can be destroyed by strong winds and other weather. The same can happen with a tree or a stump, choose a reliable landmark, such as a huge cobblestone that cannot be moved, a high hill or rock.

When you choose a landmark, find it on the map and turn the map over so that it matches the actual location of the area, that is, correlate the objects you see on the map with the surrounding area.

Mark your location on the map with a dot or a checkmark, build a further path and continue moving in accordance with your route.

other methods

If you do not remember any of the above methods, there are other ways to orient yourself by natural signs, on the ground, for example, with the help of resin, which is known to protrude on the south side of the tree.

• You can look for an anthill, which is also most often located in the south. More about how to navigate the anthill, read on our website.
• Look closely at the colors of the bark of trees such as birch and pine, in the north it is usually darker than in the south. In addition, in the north, rocks, stones and cobblestones are most covered with moss.
• Pay attention to church buildings - the altars and chapels of Christian churches look to the east, and the bell towers to the west.
• In the village, houses usually face south, it is on this side that the paint deteriorates and fades the fastest.

Examples of local orientation

To make it clearer, it is worth disassembling this with an example. Suppose you went hiking in the forest, but got lost. Your phone has run out of charge and you don't know how to find your way home. You came from the south side and you need to find it. To do this, look for anthills, the dark side of the birch bark and cobblestone, with enhanced moss vegetation. All this will help you understand which way is south and return home.

Or another example, let's imagine that you came to another city with a tour and lagged behind your group. Do not panic, find the nearest church building and inspect it carefully. Altars and chapels in Orthodox churches always face east, and the bell towers of the same buildings look to the west.

Once in an unfamiliar area, first of all, you need to orient yourself, that is, determine your location relative to the sides of the horizon using a map, terrain plan or aerial photograph.

Approximate can be made according to local landmarks (natural and artificial), the position of the Sun, stars. We remind you that if you stand facing north, then the south will be behind, on the right - east, on the left - west. In addition to the main sides of the horizon, there are also intermediate ones, for example: northeast (NE), northwest (NW), southeast (SE), southwest (SW).

In the absence of a map and compass, the north direction can be determined as follows.

Sun Orientation. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is in the east at about 7 o'clock, in the south - at 13 o'clock, in the west - at 19 o'clock. The position of the Sun at these hours will indicate the direction to the east, south and west, respectively.

Orientation by sun and clock. To determine the sides of the horizon by the Sun, you can use Wrist Watch. In a horizontal position, they are installed so that the hour hand is directed towards the Sun. The angle between the hour hand and the direction of the number 1 (13 o'clock) on the dial is bisected by a straight line that indicates the direction of the south.

In the first half of the day, it is necessary to divide in half the arc (angle) that the arrow must pass before 13 o'clock, and in the second - the arc that it passed after 13 o'clock.

Orientation by the stars. You probably know the constellation Ursa Major (seven bright stars), which is shaped like a bucket. Above it is the North Star. It is located in the constellation Ursa Minor. This star has a remarkable property: at any time of the year, at any hour, it indicates the direction exactly to the north.

Finding the North Star in the sky is quite simple. It is necessary on a line passing through the two extreme stars of the Ursa Major bucket to set aside a segment whose length is 5 times greater than the distance between these stars. At the end of the imaginary segment will be the North Star. Watching it, you can accurately determine the direction to the north, and hence the other sides of the horizon. Remember? If you stand facing north, then the south will be behind, to the right - east, and to the left - west.

If there is no compass and no heavenly bodies are visible, then the sides of the horizon can be determined by local features:

• moss or lichen covers tree trunks, stones and stumps on the north side; if moss grows along the entire trunk of a tree, then on the north side, especially at the root, there is more of it;
• the bark of trees on the north side is usually coarser and darker than on the south;
• in spring, grass on the southern outskirts of forest glades and glades, as well as on the southern side of individual trees, stumps, large stones, grows thicker;
• anthills are usually located south of the nearest trees and stumps; the south side of the anthill is flatter than the north;
• on the southern slopes of the hills in spring the snow melts faster than on the northern ones.

There are other signs by which you can determine the sides of the horizon. For example, passages in forest areas, as a rule, are cut in the directions "north - south" and "east - west", and forest quarters are numbered from west to east.

Introduction

Relevance: Orientation on the ground, no less important topic. Since, lost in any area, a person needs to know elementary ways of orienting without a map. Getting lost in the forest, or in the mountains, in the steppe, you need to determine the sides of the horizon for the right movement. You also need to pay attention to the location of signs of local objects. The most famous methods for determining the sides of the horizon are not always correct, you need to pay attention to their location, otherwise you may completely lose your way.

The purpose of the work: To show the essence of orientation on the ground, to describe the most common ways to determine the sides of the horizon. Determine the fidelity of folk methods of orientation.

Hypothesis: if you study in detail the ways of orienting yourself on the ground without a map, then this will make it possible.

Accurate orientation on the ground, especially in a difficult environment, is one of the most important conditions for a successful transition and reaching the intended goal. With the help of a topographic map and a compass, you can easily reach your destination. Well, if you don’t have a map or a compass with you. What to do?

Orientation is the ability to determine the cardinal directions, imagine the direction of roads and the location of settlements in relation to the place where you are. You can always find the way, knowing the location of the cardinal points. There are only four of them: north (N), east (E), south (S) and west (W).

There are many different ways to navigate without a map. The main ones include compass orientation and the location of the heavenly bodies and the moon. Plants and animals can also help us in determining the sides of the horizon. You should pay attention to the features of the area.

Types of orientation

compass orientation

To determine the sides of the horizon using a compass, you need to release the brake of the magnetic needle and set the compass horizontally. Then turn it so that the northern end of the magnetic needle is opposite the letter C, which indicates north. In this position, the letters B, Z and Yu will indicate the directions to the east, west and south, respectively. Now, you just have to choose the direction of your movement and follow it.

The use of compasses is well known, and therefore there is no need to dwell on it in detail. You should only know that when determining the sides of the horizon using a compass, it is necessary to take into account magnetic declination. In most cases, the direction indicated by the magnetic needle (magnetic meridian) deviates from the direction of the true meridian (geographic) by a certain angle, which is called magnetic declination. If its value is greater than 3°, then when orienting the map or determining the azimuth from it, it is necessary to introduce a correction for magnetic declination.

On the ground, it is often necessary to make transitions not in directions to the sides of the horizon, but along any other given directions. In such cases, azimuths are used. Azimuth is a horizontal angle measured from the north direction of the meridian to the direction of the object in a clockwise direction. If the azimuth is measured from the true meridian, then it will be true, and if it is measured from the magnetic meridian, it will be magnetic. Magnetic azimuths on the ground are determined using a compass on its scale. The Adrianov compass scale is divided into 120 divisions, each division is equal to 3 °. To determine the azimuth to any local object, you need to stand facing the object, give the compass a horizontal position and release the brake of the magnetic needle. When the arrow calms down, align the zero stroke of the scale with the north end of the arrow. In this position, the compass will be oriented, that is, the letter C on the scale will indicate the direction of the north. Then, turning the lid, install it so that the slot is directed towards us, and the front sight is exactly in the direction of the object. Counting against the pointer at the front sight will show the value of the azimuth to this object.

But it is not possible to use a compass everywhere. For example: in areas of natural magnetic anomalies, during a thunderstorm, near power lines and electrified railways, near large masses of iron, compass readings are distorted, and you have to navigate in other ways. The compass may not show quite accurately in the mountains, and very large errors are observed near the North Pole. Therefore, before any access to the terrain, you need to check the compass is working. To do this, the compass with the brake released is set to a horizontal position. Having brought some steel or iron object to the arrow, they take the arrow out of balance and monitor whether it is set to its original position. If the arrow does not stop at the previous reading or does not calm down for a long time, the compass cannot be used. When moving, the compass needle must be stopped by a brake, otherwise it will demagnetize from constant shaking and the compass will fail.

If there is no compass, you can navigate by the clock, heavenly bodies, local objects and natural features. Once in an unfamiliar area and experiencing the need for orientation, first of all, you need to use the heavenly bodies, which give the most reliable ways to determine the sides of the horizon. However, it should be borne in mind that individual natural features may not always provide reliable information, since the conditions for their formation largely depend on local conditions. Therefore, for a more accurate determination of the sides of the horizon, it is necessary to evaluate several features at once. This will help you avoid making a big mistake. It is useful to remember a few simple rules of orientation by natural features.

Orientation by the sun and stars

If you do not have a compass with you, then you can find the right path with the help of the sun and stars.

In northern latitudes, summer nights, from the proximity of the setting Sun to the horizon, the northern side of the sky is the brightest, the southern side is darker.

The highest position of the Sun is determined by the length of the shortest shadow, which corresponds to noon, and its direction in the northern hemisphere points north. This is true only between north pole and northern tropic. The rule applies in the following cases:

a) When the Sun is at its zenith (shadow at the base of the object);

b) At the equator, where the midday shadow is directed north for half a year (from September 24 to March 20) and south for half a year (from March 21 to September 23);

c) In the latitudes between the equator and the tropics, where the shadow also changes direction.

In the southern hemisphere, on the contrary, the shadow points south.

With the help of hours.

With relative accuracy, the sides of the horizon can be determined from the Sun using a watch. To do this, holding the clock horizontally, you need to turn it so that the hour hand is directed to the Sun. In this case, the bisector of the angle between the hour hand and the direction of the number 12 on the dial will point to the south. It should be remembered that before noon it is necessary to divide the angle on the dial, which the hour hand must pass before 12 o'clock, and in the afternoon - the angle that it passed after 12 o'clock.

Orientation by polar star.

On a cloudless night, the sides of the horizon are easiest to determine by the North Star, which always indicates the direction to the north with an accuracy of 1 °. To find this star in the sky, located in the constellation Ursa Minor, you need to find the constellation Ursa Major, which appears as a huge, clearly visible bucket of seven bright, far apart stars. If an imaginary straight line is drawn through the two extreme stars of the bucket, and the distance between them is laid off along this line five times, then at the end of the last segment a dim star will be visible - this is the Polaris, - the first star of the handle of the Ursa Minor bucket.

moon orientation

At night and in the evening you can navigate by the moon. To do this, you need to know what the main phases of the moon look like.

There are four main phases of the moon.

New moon. The moon is between the Earth and the Sun, at this time the shadow side of the Moon is facing the earth, and we cannot see it.

First quarter. The moon is visible in the evening in the southwestern side of the sky in the form of a light semicircle, convex to the right.

Full moon. The moon is completely illuminated and looks like a bright disk.

Last quarter. The moon is visible in the morning in the southeastern side of the sky in the form of a light semicircle, bulging to the left.

To be able to navigate by the moon, you need to remember the following. The crescent of the "young" moon, curved to the right, is visible in the evening in the western side of the sky and sets shortly after sunset. In the first quarter, the moon is in the south around 7 pm. The full moon in the south direction is observed around 1 o'clock in the morning. At 10 pm it is in the southeast side of the sky, and at 4 am - in the southwest. The moon in its last quarter is in the south at 7 o'clock in the morning. The crescent of the "old" moon, resembling the letter "C", is visible in the morning, shortly before sunrise, in the eastern side of the sky. Knowing this, you can easily determine the points of the horizon by the position of the moon and its phase.

Orientation for plants and animals

The flora and fauna are characterized by some features that can be used to determine the sides of the horizon. However, orientation by plants and animals is less reliable than the simplest astronomical techniques, so they can be used only in extreme cases, for example, in cloudy weather, when neither the Sun nor the stars are visible.

Many orientation techniques have become widely known, although they are based on erroneous ideas. For example, one often hears and reads that trees on the south side have more lush crowns than those on the north, and this can serve as an indication of the sides of the horizon. In fact, tree branches in the forest develop towards free space, and not at all towards the south. Even in isolated trees, the configuration of the crown depends mainly on the direction of the prevailing winds and other factors. True, there are cases when the above sign is justified. In some regions of the Southern Urals, birch trees were observed, the crowns of which were especially lush on the southern side. But, of course, generalizing conclusions should not be drawn from such observations. Another common misconception is associated with the imaginary possibility of orienting by annual rings of wood growth on the stumps of cut trees. This sign cannot be used, since the formation of annual rings depends entirely on the characteristics of plant growth. It is believed that these rings are wider from the south than from the north, but in fact, numerous observations do not reveal this pattern. It turns out that the width of the rings depends on a number of factors (for example, on the direction of the winds) and is uneven not only horizontally, but also vertically. The change in the arrangement of annual rings can be seen if a tree is sawn at different heights from the ground.

Now let's turn to more reliable methods of orienting by plants. Mosses and lichens on the bark of trees are concentrated mainly on the north side. Comparing several trees, one can quite accurately determine the north-south line by this feature. The desire of mosses and lichens to develop in the shade makes it possible to use not only trees, but also old wooden buildings, large stones, rocks, etc. for orientation. On all these objects, mosses and lichens grow mainly on the north side.

Another good guide can be the bark of trees, which is usually rougher and darker on the north side than on the south. This is especially noticeable on birch. But this sign can be used by observing the color of the bark of not one tree, but several. After rain, pine trunks usually turn black from the north. This is due to the fact that a thin secondary crust is developed on the pine bark, which forms earlier on the shady side of the trunk and goes higher along it than along the southern one. The crust swells and darkens when it rains. If there is no rain, but the weather is hot, then pines and spruces can also serve as a guide in this case. You just need to carefully look at which side of the trunk releases more resin. This side will always be south.

In the mountains, oak often grows on the southern slopes.

Berries and fruits acquire the color of maturity earlier (blush, turn yellow) on the south side.

Sunflower flowers always turn towards the sun and never face north.

Near isolated trees, the snow on the north side is loose, and on the south it is covered with a crust, because the sun is shining on it.

You should also pay attention to the grass, which in spring on the northern outskirts of the glades is denser than on the southern ones. If we take separate stumps, trees, large stones, then here, on the contrary, the grass grows thicker from the south of them, and from the north it stays fresh longer in the hot season. Studying the habits of animals often gives interesting material for orientation, although this requires an even more careful approach than when orienting by plants. Here is some information about the behavior of animals.

Ants arrange their dwellings almost always to the south of the nearest trees, stumps, bushes. The southern side of the anthill is more gentle, and the northern one is steep.

Steppe bees build their homes from very durable material. Their nests are placed on stones or on walls, always facing south, and look like lumps of dirt thrown off by cart wheels or horse hooves. Three-toed gulls, or kittiwakes, nest on the rocks in numerous flocks, and their nests are always located on the western and northwestern shores of the islands.

Determining the sides of the horizon according to the features of the terrain.

Some local signs can serve as a simple, though not very accurate "compass" for the traveler.

Soil moisture near large stones, individual buildings, stumps serves as a kind of guide - in summer, the soil is more moist from the north of these objects than from the south.

The sides of the horizon can be found by the prevailing winds in the area, if their direction is known in advance.

In deserts, the direction of the prevailing winds can be judged by their effect on easily destroyed rocks: sandstones, limestones, loess, etc.

Under the influence of wind, numerous parallel furrows are often formed in such rocks, separated by sharp ridges.

One of the signs by which one can determine the direction of the prevailing winds in a given area is the state of vegetation on the slopes of the mountains. On windward slopes, which freeze harder in winter, the plants are often tilted, thus indicating the direction of the prevailing winds. Flag-shaped crowns of trees also indicate the predominance of winds of one direction or another.

In sandy deserts, the wind creates peculiar landforms - dunes and dunes. The dunes are hilly - accumulations of sand in the shape of a crescent. Their convex part is always facing the wind. On the leeward side, the slopes of the dunes are much steeper than on the windward side, and the edges are elongated in the form of horns in the direction of the wind.

Dunes - low sandy ridges, usually without steep slopes and elongated perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Windward slopes of dunes and dunes are compacted. They often form sandy ripples in the form of parallel rollers. Leeward slopes crumbling, loose.

Snow near rocks, large stones, stumps thaws faster on the south side. In ravines, hollows, pits, it thaws faster on the north side, because the direct rays of the sun falling from the south do not fall on the southern edges of the depressions. On the southern slopes of mountains and hills, the formation of thawed patches occurs the faster, the steeper the slopes.

At the northern edge of the forest, the soil is released from under the snow, sometimes 10-15 days later than at the southern edge. In March - April, holes are formed in the snow around the trunks of free-standing trees and stumps, elongated in a southerly direction. In spring, on the slopes facing the sun, during the melting of snow, protrusions elongated to the south are formed - “spikes”, separated by recesses, the open part of which is facing south.

Various buildings in some cases can also serve as good reference points. Basically, these are buildings of a religious cult: churches, mosques and others, which, in accordance with the laws of religion, were built quite strictly oriented to the sides of the horizon. The altars and chapels of Orthodox churches face east, while the bell towers face west. The lowered edge of the lower cross-bar of the cross on the dome faces south, and the raised edge faces north.

The exit from the yurts is usually done to the south. In houses in rural areas, more windows in living quarters are cut through on the south side, and the paint on the walls of buildings on the south side fades more and has a withered color.

In large tracts of cultivated forest, it is possible to determine the sides of the horizon by clearings, which, as a rule, are cut strictly along the north-south and east-west lines, as well as by the inscriptions of block numbers on poles installed at the intersections of clearings. On each such pillar in its upper part and on each of the four faces, numbers are affixed - the numbering of the opposite quarters of the forest; the edge between the two faces with the smallest digits shows the north direction.