Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Vibinbee t1_jefci9a wrote

Reply to comment by M0ndmann in There really isn't any reason why north is always upward and south is always downward on maps. by GuinnessTheBestBoi

Yeah but why north

6

KingHeroical t1_jeffmze wrote

My guess would be that navigation in the northern hemisphere relied heavily on Polaris (the north Star), so the 'north arrow' would point in the correct direction if you were holding the map while facing the north star.

It would also coincide with the direction a compass points...

26

M0ndmann t1_jefe827 wrote

There are many, mostly cultural and practical reasons for that. Google will help you If you wanna know exactly.

7

AllDressedRuffles t1_jefuw4z wrote

I don't think he's literally asking. He's replying to the person who didn't address the point of the post

2

RailAurai t1_jefi2jm wrote

The entire purpose of the cardinal directions is to improve navigation and link it with something constant. If we don't follow the concept of keeping it constant across the board then it'll make navigation much harder.

1

showMeYourPitties10 t1_jefkthj wrote

River flow would be my guess. "Water runs down, put at bottom of map" I know plenty of rivers flow north, but that is usually the exception. Like, did you know the Nile flows north?!?!??

0

Belnak t1_jefgwsv wrote

Because the giant iron mass in the artic pulls a compass point that way, and you align your map to the compass when navigating.

−1

DIXIExCUP t1_jefi72j wrote

You’re close but the giant iron mass in actually in the core of the earth not in the arctic. It’s just how the invisible flux lines runs through the planet. We essentially live on a giant magnet

3

Craw__ t1_jefvbc6 wrote

But iron is heavy and sinks to the bottom.

South on top baby!

1