The four cardinal directions are north, east, south, and west. Clockwise bearings begin at north: 0° (or 360°), east 90°, south 180°, and west 270°. Halfway directions include northeast 45°, southeast 135°, southwest 225°, and northwest 315°.
A magnetic compass does not necessarily point to geographic north. The difference is called magnetic declination and depends on place and time. A map’s north arrow and a compass reading need a consistent reference.
Try it on paper
Draw a compass rose and a square grid. Label the top north. Start in the center, move two squares east and one north, then describe a route back.
Practice
- Which direction is 180°?
- What bearing is halfway clockwise from east to south?
- From north, what direction is a clockwise quarter turn?
- Is an old map’s magnetic declination guaranteed to remain correct?
Show answers and reasoning
- South.
- 135°, southeast.
- East.
- No. Declination changes with time and location.
Keep exploring in social studies: hemispheres, the five themes of geography, and the seven continents.
Sources & further reading
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