Changes

Magnetic compasses were first invented as a device for [[divination]] as early as the [[Chinese]] [[Han Dynasty]] (since about 206 BC).<ref>{{cite book|last=Merrill|first=Ronald T.|title=The Earth's magnetic field: Its history, origin and planetary perspective|year=1983|publisher=Academic press|location=San Francisco|isbn=0-12-491242-7|page=1|edition=2nd printing|author2=McElhinny, Michael W.}}</ref> Magnetic compasses were in early use by [[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorers in the [[Age of Exploration]].

Magnetic compasses were first invented as a device for [[divination]] as early as the [[Chinese]] [[Han Dynasty]] (since about 206 BC).<ref>{{cite book|last=Merrill|first=Ronald T.|title=The Earth's magnetic field: Its history, origin and planetary perspective|year=1983|publisher=Academic press|location=San Francisco|isbn=0-12-491242-7|page=1|edition=2nd printing|author2=McElhinny, Michael W.}}</ref> Magnetic compasses were in early use by [[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorers in the [[Age of Exploration]].

Compasses are one of the two most essential pieces of navigation gear that one should carry, the other being a [[map]]. [[GPS]] devices and [[cell phone]]s with [[Google]] Maps may breakdown or run out of [[battery|batteries]] during an [[emergency]], [[disaster]] or a [[Post Apocalyptic World]] - [[SHTF]] - [[TEOTWAWKI]] event. Also the sun isn't always shining, and it takes a great deal of time and effort to learn to stellar navigation, however a map and compass will continue to work until your break or lose them.

Compasses are one of the two most essential pieces of navigation gear that one should carry, the other being a [[map]], though [[GPS]] devices are supplanting both.

Few things are more important than knowing where you are and where you're going and the compass helps you to do both. In selecting a compass there many types with many different features to consider, some of them are novelties while others are tremendous conveniences. There are several basic types of compass, and some compasses fall under more than one type.

Few things are more important than knowing where you are and where you're going and the compass helps you to do both. In selecting a compass there many types with many different features to consider, some of them are novelties while others are tremendous conveniences. There are several basic types of compass, and some compasses fall under more than one type.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Map]] and Compass

* [[Map]]

* [[Orienteering]]

* [[Orienteering]]

* [[Geocaching]]

* [[Geocaching]]

* [[GPS]]

* [[GPS]]

==References==

==References==

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{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==