This study had two aims: The first one was to examine what objects in real-terrain are used as landmarks. The second one was to examine the effects on self -orientation of a map contraligned with a real-terrain. Twenty-four junior college students participated as subjects in two experiments. The task given them was to orientate themselves on a map. As a result of the first aim, two main findings were apparent: Firstly, objects located behind subjects tended to be difficult to use as landmarks. Secondly, it was likely that the size and width of an object was a determining factor in its use as a landmark. The result of the second aim suggested that self-orientation was impaired by the map contraligned with a real-terrain.