Only those with intellect need answer
2007-01-14 18:23:33 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Convention. The early seafaring nations who circumnavigated the globe were Europeans so north went to the top. If the early mapmakers had been Argentinian or Australian, south would be at the top.
2007-01-14 18:32:24 · answer #1 · answered by tentofield 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is purely arbitrary. If Australians had been the first to map the world it would possibly have been different.
There is no reason why a world map could not show the north pole in the centre with the south pole all the way around the outside, or visa versa. It is simply convenient to show the top and bottom edges (those with the most distortion) as uninhabited poles and the right and left edges as the Pacific so as not to have any major land masses carrying over the edges.
2007-01-15 04:42:01 · answer #2 · answered by John B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most likely because the vast majority of land mass on Earth is in the Northern Hemisphere.
2007-01-15 03:37:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a compass usually ALWAYS has North as being on top, and if you are looking at a map, it should correspond. Otherwise, it would be too confusing to navigate.
2007-01-15 05:33:30 · answer #4 · answered by brmillend 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because one has to be on the top. I would tend to think that it is because most of world's population, especially the most powerful and influential countries, lie in the northern hemisphere.
2007-01-15 02:32:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
has to do with magnetic field
2007-01-15 06:24:52 · answer #6 · answered by shufly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋