1. INTRODUCTION

Orienteering is a worldwide sport. A common approach to the interpretation and drawing of orienteering maps is essential for fair competition and for the future growth of the sport.
It is the aim of the International Specification for Orienteering Maps (ISOM) to provide a map specification which can accomodate the many different types of terrain around the world and the many ways of doing orienteering. These specifications should be read in conjunction with the rules for International Orienteering Federation (IOF) orienteering events. For IOF events deviations are permissable only with the sanction of the IOF Map Committee (IOF MC). For other events such sanction must be given by the national federation. In addition, there are supplementary specifications for other orienteering disciplines on the basis of the specification for foot orienteering maps.

---