Why is north shown on maps at the top, and where are they trying to break this tradition? Detailed answer

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Why is north shown on maps at the top, and where are they trying to break this tradition? Detailed answer

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Why is the north shown on maps at the top, and where are they trying to break this tradition?

Early cartographers needed to have a fixed direction associated with a fixed object in order to draw geographic maps. Such an object is the North Star, which in our time points north. That is why on the maps they traditionally began to depict the north at the top, and the south at the bottom. Recently, in the countries of the southern hemisphere, such as Australia or New Zealand, inverted cards are popular, with the south at the top. They are also used in other parts of the world as tools for teaching critical thinking.

Authors: Jimmy Wales, Larry Sanger

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