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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.


Where is the Gibson Desert on the Australian map?

To the north of Lake Eyre.

Related questions

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 way does the top of a map points?

The top of a map will be pointing North. Interestingly, this notion that "up" is always north was established by Ptolemy nearly 2000 years ago.


What directions is always on the top of the map?

In most conventional maps that direction is North


What map showes direction?

Just about all- North is almost always on top


What is the north on the map?

On top of the map which is north of the map


If north is shown at the top of a map where is east on the map?

If north is at the top, then:* South is at the bottom* East is to the right* West is to the left


How can you find north on a map?

North is always "up" on maps.


What degrees is the North Pole on a map?

Use the link as a starting point.


What Direction usually at the top of a map?

north


On a standard world map where is the North Pole usually found?

Top of Map


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.


When looking at a map in what direction always north?

Up