Directions - without looking at the map?

Question

How exactly is it possible to tell which way is North South East and West from the point where we're standing without looking at the map? I know it's easy to figure out the rest of it once we know where North is but how do we find where North is?

Answer 1

1.Look for moss; it usually grows on the north
2.Look for spider webs, which tend to appear on the south sides of trees.
3.Put a stick in the ground vertically, and note where the end of its shadow is. Wait a little while, and mark where the end is now. The line going between those two points should run approximately east–west.
4.In the northern hemisphere, if it’s night and the sky is clear, you can usually pick out the north star (Polaris) as the brightest one in the handle of the Little Dipper. If you’re facing that star, you’re pointing north.
5.Hold an analog watch horizontally. In the northern hemisphere, point the hour hand toward the sun; in the southern hemisphere, point the 12 toward the sun. Either way, the north-south line runs halfway between the hour hand and the 12 (or 1, if daylight saving time is in effect). To figure out which is which, note the sun’s direction of movement, or assume that the sun is in the southern half of the sky.
6.Note the direction in which the clouds move, which is generally west-to-east.
7.If you’re near a body of water where birds, fish, or amphibians are breeding, keep in mind that they often prefer to breed on the west side.
8. At noon, if you are facing the sun then north is in the opposite direction.

Answer 2

The easiest way to find north is to locate the North Star, which is at the end of the Little Dipper and always as far above the horizon as your own latitude (on the horizon if you're at the equator and overhead if you're at the pole). It's only a medium-bright star but still plainly visible.

If you have more time, you could also put a stick straight up in the ground - or use a parking meter as your stick - and measure the length of its shadow every few minutes, starting late in the morning. When the shadow is shortest, the sun is at its highest point during the day and will be directly south of you (within 15 minutes either way). Don't use a watch because its only the actual position of the sun that counts, and you might be a Daylight Savings Time.

Answer 3

If it is night look for the north star. It is the brightest in the sky.
Moss always grows on the north side of the tree in the northern hemisphere.

Sun rises in the east sets in the west

Answer 4

The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Once you know where east and/or west is, finding north is simple. Just look at a sunset or sunrise.

Answer 5

Are you familiar with where the sun rises and sets where you are? If so, rises in the east, sets in the west so the opposites of that are north and south. You could take a compass with you.

Answer 6

If you face a rising sun then North is on your left.

if you face a setting sun then north is on your right

if you can find the big dipper at night, the north star is the bright star in line with the two stars than form the front of the cup on the dipper.

Answer 7

In the USA, the sun will always be to the south of you at 12:00 noon, more east in the morning and west in the afternoon.Look at your shadow.........If the sun is not out, just sit down and wait........Nuf Said

Answer 8

well you could use the north star which is on the end of the little dipper, or in the day time you could place a magnetised needle on a leaf then place it in water and it will point to north

Answer 9

I guess you could look at the sun and try to figure out about what time it is and where it is in the sky. Then figure it out from there. Or just carry a compass with you...

Answer 10

where the sun is!