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Polaris, the "North Star", is above the North Pole and was used by navigating sailors as the reference point for keeping direction. The earliest mapmakers that made their maps global were Europeans who apparently intended to make Europe the center-top of the map, placing the "less developed" continents below them. Thus, mapmakers eventually came to the consensus of placing north at the top, beginning in the era of Ptolemy.
This, however, was not always so. The South Pole could just as well have been the top. Some sources say that Egyptians saw south as "up" (before the existence of magnetic compasses, of course). This makes sense because every winter noon-time, the sun was high up in the southern sky. Not only that, but Lower Egypt and the Nile Delta are "down north"; Upper Egypt and Nubia's heights are "up south", from which Egypt's source of life (the Nile River) flows. Egyptians had every reason to believe south to be "nearest the heavens."
East Asian and Ancient Near East maps originally placed east at the top, because the sun rises in the east. We're not told whether the Hebrews used east-up maps like did their neighbors, or west-up due to Jerusalem's Temple and the Promised Land. The human figure was the floor plan to the Temple, with its "feet" east and its "head" (the Holiest Place) west. Plus, the whereabouts of the Israelites upon entering the Promised Land was like that of the sun in the sky: progressively westward. So west may very well have been "up" according to Israel.
The USA has map-tops seldom ever a direction other than north. But various other nations across the globe (e.g. Japan) generally align maps on signs according to which direction is forward (while looking at the sign). It is actually more convenient that way than making every map north-up.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
North is commonly depicted at the top of maps due to historical cartographic conventions established by European mapmakers. This orientation likely originated with the Renaissance practice of using celestial navigation and aligning maps with the North Star for guidance. Over time, this convention became standardized, making it easier for people to interpret and navigate maps with a consistent reference point.
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What maps used to indicate the cardinal directions?
Most maps include a "compass rose," a small compass symbol showing which direction is north (often labeled completely with N, E, S, and W).
What is the meaning of north?
North is one of the four cardinal directions, opposite from south. It is an orientation point used in navigation and is typically represented by the North Pole on maps and compasses.
Did Jacques Cartier create maps?
Yes, Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who created maps of his journeys during his expeditions to North America, particularly in the areas of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River. These maps were instrumental in helping to further exploration and understanding of the region.
What do all maps share?
All maps share a common purpose of representing geographical features and locations. They typically include a scale, orientation (north direction), and legend/key to interpret the symbols used. Maps also help users navigate and understand spatial relationships.
Why did the Egyptians set up trade maps?
The Egyptians set up trade maps to facilitate the transport of goods, establish trade routes, and enhance economic activities. These maps helped them identify the best paths for trade, locate resources, and maintain communication networks with other civilizations.
How can you find north on a map?
North is always "up" on maps.
What directions is always on the top of the map?
In most conventional maps that direction is North
Are the magnetic in the north pole and the geographic north pole always the same distance?
No, the magnetic pole is always on the move, which is why the magnetic variation is often printed on maps.
What direction is always right on the map?
On most maps North is at the top of the map, so the right side of the map is East.
What is a roadmap?
Road maps are maps that show people where to go when the GPS only shows people once they get to a certain place and on the top road map the top of it is always north.
What way do lines of longitude run?
North - South; up and down most maps.
How does a compass rose look like?
It's the compass on the maps that have N, E, S, and W and in-between are arrows to NW, SW, SE, and NE
Where is loughmore?
Loughmore Castleinney is just north of Thurles, Co. Tipp, although for some weird reason, maps always spell it Loughmoe
When looking at a map in what direction always north?
Up
Why is Alaska always snowy?
because it is up north.
Is Vacaville CA up or down from Redding CA?
According to Google.com Maps: Vacaville Calif. is 165 miles South of Redding, Calif. It's down if South is Down, and North is Up, which it is on most maps.
Why are maps always north side up?
Some things simply beg for simplification and cartographers were able to see the advantage in this basic premise, weights and measurements may have come first, but soon everyone understood the concept of directions.
