A Star for Salem, a Star for Carson City

Two Capitals to Find. You need to find the capitals of Oregon and Nevada, but an atlas contains many maps and city names. Where should you begin? An atlas is a book of maps. The practice atlas described here shows how its text features can guide your search without making you read every page.

Start with the Index. An index lists place names in alphabetical order, usually near the back of an atlas. Use the state name as your search word when you do not know its capital. In this practice atlas, the entry for Nevada says page 26. The entry for Oregon says page 24. Nevada comes before Oregon in the index, even though its map appears later in the book.

Check the Map Key. Turn to Oregon on page 24. Before choosing a city, read the map key, which explains what each symbol means. This map's key says that a star marks a state capital. A plain dot marks another city. A familiar city name or large lettering is not enough to identify the capital.

Narrow the Search. This atlas also has a grid, a set of squares formed by crossing lines. Letters label the columns, and numbers label the rows. A note beside Oregon's map directs you to square B2. Find column B and row 2, then look where they meet. Inside that square, a star appears beside Salem. Portland has a plain dot. Salem is Oregon's capital.

Try Another State. Return to the index and use Nevada's page number, 26. Its map note points to square C3, where a star appears beside Carson City. Las Vegas has a plain dot. Carson City is Nevada's capital. A sidebar, a small box of extra information, reminds readers that symbols can differ among atlases. Read the key on the map you are using.

Check What You Found. A caption beneath the Oregon map reads, "The star marks Salem, Oregon's capital." This short explanation confirms the search result. The index helped you find a page, the grid narrowed the area, and the key explained the marks. Together, these features turn a crowded map into a useful tool.