On maps, North is usually shown on top of the page. Why and how ?

Answer 1

The equator and the two poles are objectively identifiable landmarks on the earth. Therefore it is logical to identify other points on the earth relative to these objective markers. They could have identified the two poles as the east and west poles, and had the equator run north and south, but given the rotation of the earth, like a spinning top, it made more sense to keep that analogy, and refer to the poles as the top and bottom, and the equator as the line of fastest rotation. As for identifying north as "up" and south as "down", there is no logical reason why that is better than the reverse. But it's how early map makers chose to portray it, and now it is traditional.

Answer 2

It is just a convention.
It is not always followed. You will often see maps of projected road or pipeline development that for ease of use have some other orientation.

Remember that there is true north, magnetic north and grid north for any map of the earth's surface. These are generally not the same and can quite easily very by more than 20 degrees from each other.

Answer 3

North is the arbitrary designation given to what we call the top of the world. Maps are drawn that way to have consistency. Probably decided by a map maker guild a long time ago.

Answer 4

Mostly it's just custom. Early mapmakers were mostly in the northern hemisphere, so it was natural for them to make north up. Also, most people in the world, and most land in the world, are in the northern hemisphere. All that combines to make north up.

On the other hand, I'd like to see a few maps with north down. I just think it would be interesting, but also somewhat confusing, because of what we're used to seeing.

Answer 5

Just a guess . . . early world explorers mostly originated in countries north of the equator (e.g. Norway, Holland, Spain). They probably drew maps from their vantage points and, with magnetic north being the primary compass point, it probably took precedence and appeared at the tops of their maps.

Answer 6

ease of use...most land is north; the magnetic North is north...for those folks using a compass; there some other famous dead-guys that made it popular (see the link below)...however in the past some made the east up (for the orient and "orienting" the map)...reported some Australian maps had been drawn using south as up.

Answer 7

there is not any "incorrect time of the year" for aurora; it may happen on any date, regardless of the shown fact that it variety of feels greater prevalent around the equinoxes. you will see that aurora everywhere in Alaska, yet for sure no longer interior the summertime simply by middle of the night solar. you additionally can see aurora everywhere in Canada, the northern u . s ., northern Europe, and northerly Asia. the main subject for the previous year or 2 has been that we are at minimum photograph voltaic pastime, so aurorae weren't seen everywhere. Now that the solar is perking up lower back, aurorae could desire to be a lot greater prevalent. I stay in southern Ontario and notice aurorae many nights of the year as quickly as we are on the brink of photograph voltaic optimum.

Answer 8

Historical convention. Ocean travellers were very dependent on navigating by the North Star.

Check this out for some fun! http://flourish.org/upsidedownmap/

Answer 9

Because in the compass wihich is like a globe north in on top

Answer 10

north is the top of the world.