Almost of information maps of shopping center, on a street, north is always top on a map, even a person facing East, West, South. I think it is difficult to understand own direction.
The reason why American people accept this, is the people always conscious of a direction of north, south, east and west....
Because they have to decide their direction at a intersection and interchange momentarily.
What do you think?
2007-03-23 04:24:39 · 14 answers · asked by munekun0621 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
I think there is value in having a consistent reference point.
When you look at a map, you know that North is always up, you don't have to spend any time figuring out which direction north is in, and trying to get your bearings.
It might be temporarily more convenient to have a map that's oriented in the direction you are facing, but ultimately it will be more confusing.
hazel a: Does a compass point north, or south? ;)
2007-03-23 04:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by darth_logical 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think this is a ridiculous question. There is also a compass rose on American maps. Just because the maps are laid out differently doesn't mean that Americans have no sense of direction.
2007-03-23 11:29:37 · answer #2 · answered by Artemiseos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well they say the best place to start is the top and the North is at the top of our world. This makes everything right side up. So maps are oriented with north up. If you are traveling, no matter what direction you travel, you orient your map to match what you are looking at. Of course the wording is upside down, but the features on the map match what you will be seeing.
2007-03-23 11:29:12 · answer #3 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's because if you have a map and a compass you can orient yourself. Are you suggesting that in some other countries maps are different?
2007-03-23 11:32:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
North has always been the dominate direction, as the compass always points north.
2007-03-23 11:28:31 · answer #5 · answered by hazel a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why do you ask? are you asking just americans? are you asking about why americans do what they do? why do people in europe function the way they do? why do people in australia drive on the left side of the road rather than the right? why do toilets flush counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere and clockwise in the northern hemisphere? it's possible to alter this function. seems like there are a lot of questions on here lately about why we americans are so "off" from the rest of the world. sort of bothering me i suppose.
2007-03-23 11:30:07 · answer #6 · answered by vrandolph62 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't have any problem reading maps and I think your theory holds no water. Keep theorising though!
2007-03-23 11:28:55 · answer #7 · answered by Velouria 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In that case, you should use a compass alongside your map.
2007-03-23 11:27:55 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Those people must not know there directions very well.
2007-03-23 11:27:44 · answer #9 · answered by Landon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, maybe they shoud mark the map with a star that says you are here.
2007-03-23 11:28:48 · answer #10 · answered by tire chick 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋