Yes, I think it’s still important to be able to read a map. Reading a map helps people when technology fails, and that happens more often than we think. For example, if a person’s phone battery dies or they lose internet connection, a paper map can save them. Maps also give a bigger picture than a small phone screen, so people can understand the whole area at once instead of just one street. This makes people more independent and confident when travelling, because they don’t have to rely on anyone else. Besides, learning to read maps trains people’s memory and orientation skills, which are useful in many situations. In emergencies, a map can be the only way to find the route, so it’s a basic skill everyone should have. That’s why I’d say yes, it’s still important.

Honestly, I don’t think it’s very important these days. Phones and GPS apps have made paper maps almost unnecessary, because they are faster and easier. Most people travel with their phone anyway, so they always have navigation in their pocket. Reading a map is quite difficult, and not many people want to practise it in their free time. In cities, asking someone is often faster than checking a map, especially if someone gets lost. And technology is more accurate and user-friendly than maps, because it shows people the exact location and even the time it will take. Of course, maps can still be useful in some cases, but I don’t see reading them as a must-have skill anymore. For me, it’s nice to know, but not really essential.