Can you imagine traveling without maps? If there wasn't a map of the London Underground at each station, it would be hard for you to set off from Oxford University to London Bridge. And you would even lose your way. In fact, a lot of early mapmakers were adventurers and explorers, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries.
So how did people know the directions and distances (距离) before maps were invented? Many years ago, it was quite common for people to use natural signs like mountains, rivers and coastlines. And it was also common to use time to measure (测量) journeys. For example, people just needed to remember it took 3 hours to reach the next village.
In fact, people didn't draw buildings and roads in the earliest maps. They drew the stars instead because it was very easy to see them in the sky at night. After people built towns and cities, they drew road maps which could give them correct distances and directions.
Nowadays, of course, you are able to ride a bike, drive a car or go through a forest and know where you are exactly by using a GPS. It will show clearly what your exact location is. People don't worry about getting lost any more!
