Azimuth compass An azimuth compass is a magnetic compass in which the circumference of the card is divided into 360°. It is used to calculate the azimuth. The compass began to be used in European map making during the Middle Ages. During the early modern period (around 1550–1770), compasses were used heavily for navigation at sea. Land surveys also had become increasingly important, and accurate analyses were now possible using a compass attached to a plane table instrument.
