Why do ppl think of North as up and South as down?

Question

Ever noticed that all your maps and globes have north pointing up? But we're dealing with a giant ball here. Who's to say which side is which?

Answer 1

There's no scientific reason. Maps traditionally show North at the top of the maps, so people think of North as up and South as down.

Answer 2

The first societies to make advanced maps were in the Northern Hemisphere and used Polaris, the North Star, as their constant.

Answer 3

as a results of fact the North was once the generating heartland and London replaced into the financial, then they moved each and each of the generating foreign places. Now the financial centers sector has long previous abdomen up London would be interior the comparable boat. rather the North south divide is somewhat a misnomer as many rural counties like cornwall and norfolk are among the poorest.

Answer 4

Its just the way everybody has beeen taught so you can nagivate your way around the world. Using your compass is the first thing that establishes why you should not try to change the basics. The world would be a wacky place without it.

Answer 5

It really is arbitrary. I understand that in Australia there are world maps created with the south pole on top.

Answer 6

Very true and what I find strange is when people in Florida say Im going down to NY

Answer 7

If you'd ever had your girlfriend go south on you, you'd never worry about what's up north again.

Answer 8

I think it is because that is the way maps are printed and we were all taught that way. You are correct though, who decided what was up!!!

Answer 9

I believe it has something to do with the magnetic field and the gravitational pull of the stars and planets

Answer 10

It is just a convention.