Navigation apparatus, method and program

The apparatus (100) has a reading device reading map data recorded on a portable recording medium e.g. DVD (200), which is mounted on the device. A map-data-storage unit (106) stores map data used in route guidance for a moving body e.g.. automobile, based on a set route. A transfer device sets a geographical range for the map data and transfers the map data from the portable recording medium to the storage unit. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a navigation map data acquisition method (b) stored software.