| Nautical charts | | | | based on that data. |
| Nautical charts are a sailors map to the seas and are | | | | Let us imagine a very basic nautical chart containing a |
| the key to charting your course when sailing. These | | | | large lake and a piece of land with a point running out |
| charts vary and can cover the world or a small nook | | | | into the water. At the end of this point there are three |
| in a river. To use the information contained within the | | | | strategically placed X's. |
| chart, the voyager must first be able to interpret what | | | | The sailor looks at the mass in front of him and sees |
| he is looking at so as to understand and read the chart | | | | nothing where the X's are on the chart. Our sailor |
| correctly. | | | | looks at the key and sees that this symbol is warning |
| The first thing to take into account is that all charts | | | | him that underneath the smooth water lies sharp rock |
| have at least one thing in common, and that is a key. | | | | formations that will shred the bottom of his boat. |
| This key is a set of symbols and their meanings that is | | | | The sailing chart has helped avoid unseen dangers. |
| located somewhere on the chart itself. | | | | The key to sailing really is the key. Once the sailor |
| The key | | | | understands and can follow the information he or she |
| The key as it is termed allows the user to understand | | | | will be able to successfully plot their course on any |
| the knowledge that the chart is conveying; therefore, | | | | body of water. |
| allowing the sailor to plot his voyage successfully | | | | |