nautical chart

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

A nautical chart is a specialized map designed for navigation. It provides crucial information for mariners, including scales of latitude and longitude, details about coastlines and underwater hazards like reefs and shoals, water depths, and navigational aids such as lighthouses and radio beacons. This data enables navigators to plot a safe course and monitor their progress at sea. The development of nautical charts was spurred by the invention of the magnetic compass in the 13th century, leading to more sophisticated charting methods like the Mercator projection for accurate direction representation.1

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Nautical charts
Nautical charts are commonly large, 28 by 40 inches (70 centimetres by 1 metre) being an internationally accepted maximum size. In order that a navigator may work with them efficiently, charts must be kept with a minimum of folding in drawers in a…
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Nautical charts are commonly large, 28 by 40 inches (70 centimetres by 1 metre) being an internationally accepted maximum size. In order that a navigator may work with them efficiently, charts must be kept with a minimum of folding in drawers in a…
Read More

navigation chart
A nautical chart presents most of the information used by the marine navigator, including latitude and longitude scales, topographical features, navigation aids such as lighthouses and radio beacons, magnetic information, indications of reefs and shoals, water depth, and warning notices. Such information allows both plotting a…
Read More
A nautical chart presents most of the information used by the marine navigator, including latitude and longitude scales, topographical features, navigation aids such as lighthouses and radio beacons, magnetic information, indications of reefs and shoals, water depth, and warning notices. Such information allows both plotting a…
Read More

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World status of mapping and basic data
Nautical chart coverage of the world leaves much to be desired. Good progress has been made, however, on areas bordering the continents and islands. The Arctic, Antarctic, South Pacific, and South Atlantic oceans are the most deficient in good coverage. The Defense Mapping Agency, through…
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Nautical chart coverage of the world leaves much to be desired. Good progress has been made, however, on areas bordering the continents and islands. The Arctic, Antarctic, South Pacific, and South Atlantic oceans are the most deficient in good coverage. The Defense Mapping Agency, through…
Read More