Where would a person look on a map to find out what the symbols?

Most maps are oriented to geographic North (as opposed to Magnetic North). Some maps indicate both "Norths." A symbol indicates the orientation. This symbol can be an arrow pointing to North such as an arrow with the letter N above it. Generally, North is at the top of the map, East is the right side, West is the left side and South is toward the bottom of the map. If you are in the United States you can pretend you are in the middle of the country. When you look North, you are facing Canada and the Atlantic Ocean is your right (East) hand, the Pacific Ocean is your left (West) hand while the back of your body faces (South) toward the gulf of Mexico..or Texas!