What Is a Compass Rose?

Teaching the features of maps to your students? You’ll definitely be exploring the compass rose, cardinal directions and intermediate directions, then!

A compass rose can be found on all good maps and indicates which direction is north. Compass roses often display the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) and sometimes the four intermediate directions (north-east, north, west, south-east and south-west).

This poster provides a great summary of cardinal and intermediate directions for your students. Display the poster on your classroom wall, project it onto an interactive whiteboard during your map skills lessons, or provide students with a copy to paste into their workbooks.

Easily Download This Mapping Resource

This poster downloads as a full-colour PDF.

Do you have space for a larger display in your classroom? Why not download our multi-page version of this resource instead!