Locational skills refer to the ability to understand and use geographic information to locate places, features, or phenomena on Earth. These skills are fundamental to geographic literacy and spatial thinking.

Key components of locational skills include:

1. Map reading: Understanding symbols, scales, and conventions used in maps
2. Using coordinates: Identifying locations using latitude and longitude
3. Directional awareness: Understanding cardinal and intermediate directions
4. Spatial relationships: Recognizing patterns and connections between locations
5. Using geographic tools: Proficiency with globes, atlases, GPS, and GIS

In education, developing locational skills helps students:

• Understand their place in the world
• Interpret and create maps and other geographic representations
• Analyze spatial patterns and relationships
• Make informed decisions about environmental and social issues