Direction tells us the way one place lies from another. In Geography we use the compass to state direction accurately, so that everyone reads a map the same way.
The compass points
A compass has four cardinal (main) points: North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W). Between them lie the four intermediate points: North-East (NE), South-East (SE), South-West (SW) and North-West (NW). Together these make the eight main points of the compass. On most maps, North points to the top of the page.
Remember
- Cardinal points: N, E, S, W.
- Intermediate points: NE, SE, SW, NW.
- Read clockwise: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
Bearings
A bearing gives direction as an angle measured clockwise from North, written in three figures from 000° to 360°. For example, East is 090°, South is 180° and West is 270°. Bearings are more exact than the eight points and are useful for navigation.
Key idea
Direction is always read from one place to another. Direction from A to B is the opposite of the direction from B to A.
Finding direction
A magnetic compass uses a needle that always points to magnetic North, helping travellers find their way. Ancient sailors also used the rising Sun in the East and its setting in the West to judge direction.
Example
If a town lies at the top-right of a map, it is to the North-East of the centre. To travel back to the centre you would head in the opposite direction, South-West.