How many types of North are identified on a military map?

In military map reading, three types of north are identified: true north, magnetic north, and grid north.

True north refers to the direction along the Earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole. It is important for understanding the earth's orientation and for navigation, as it remains constant regardless of one's location on the planet.

Magnetic north is the direction that a magnetic compass points, which can vary based on geographic location and changes over time due to the shifting of the Earth's magnetic field. This concept is crucial for practical navigation, particularly when using a compass in conjunction with a military map.

Grid north is the north direction that is indicated by the vertical grid lines on a map. It is used primarily for accurate grid coordinate plotting and navigation on maps that have a grid system.

Understanding these three types of north is essential for effective navigation and orientation in military operations, ensuring personnel can accurately determine their positioning and direction relative to both the map and the actual terrain.