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The idea or belief that north should always be up and east at the right was established by the Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy (90-168 AD). "Perhaps this was because the better-known places in his world were in the northern hemisphere, and on a flat map these were most convenient for study if they were in the upper right-hand corner," historian Daniel Boorstin opines. Mapmakers haven't always followed Ptolemy; during the Middle Ages, Boorstin notes, maps often had east on top--whence the expression "to orient." But north prevailed over the long haul. By the time Southern Hemispheroids had become numerically significant enough to complain, the north-side-up convention was too well established to change.

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Q: Why north is always on top of the map?
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What does it mean to orient the reader?

The usual convention is to position the map so that the top of the page corresponds to north. In any event, the map should indicate which direction is north; that is what is meant by orienting a map.


What is the name of the southernmost city in New Zealand?

The only city In the far north of New Zealand is Whangarei.Add. a couple of comments. Though we commonly have north at the top of a map, this is not always so, and it is better to refer to the north or the south of the land rather than the top or bottom. In much earlier times, (1500s +/- the east was placed at the top of the map, for that was where the Sun rose. And from this we also get the phrase to orient a map.


What is the purpose of a north arrow?

There are different kinds of map.Every map contains the North arrow and a Legend.


Is the direction south at the top of maps made in new zealand?

No (in general). By convention, almost all maps have North at the top.There are some special maps that have the country concerned at the centre of a circular map - Great Circle Maps.The current TV reference to the top and bottom of the country is to be deplored. The top of the South Island for example is Mt Cook (Aoraki), and the bottom is one of several low-lying areas.When we orient a map, we hark back to an old convention when East was at the the top of the map, a convention itself long gone.And old portolans and many charts are oriented for mariner's convenience.


Is Dallas north of Houston on a map?

Yes, and so is Canada.