In cartography, geography, the concept of cardinal points has long existed. They are necessary to determine directions on the ground and the map, are used in construction, transport, and help in other activities. How to determine where is north, south, west, east? Let's find out what the sides of the horizon are, how to navigate them.
Main destinations
In ancient times, man learned to determine his position on the ground, noticing that every day the Sun rises from the horizon in the east, and sets in the evening in the west. The ability to navigate helped our ancestors find their way home, hunt, and cultivate plants. The principle of dividing space into parts was an important stage in the study of the world around us. The main directions of the world in ancient times received their current names (north, south, west, east). Over time, instruments for observing the Sun and planets, measuring devices became more advanced. Scientists have found that the North and South geographicthe poles are two opposite points at which the surface of our planet is crossed by an imaginary line - the earth's axis.
Determine where north, south, west, east?
Directions to the east and west are connected with one of the movements of the Earth - rotation around its axis. The sun rises above the horizon in the east in the morning, reaches its zenith in the afternoon, moves to the other side of the sky in the evening and sets in the west. There are differences in the position of the Sun at different latitudes due to the tilt of the earth's axis. At noon at the equator, the luminary is located directly overhead. In winter in the Northern Hemisphere - it shifts to the south, in summer - to the north. In summer, the sunrise can be observed in the southwest, in winter - in the southeast. In the polar and subpolar latitudes, the polar night lasts half a year, the luminary does not rise from the horizon. And when the sun does not set for six months of the year, the polar day comes. In the northern region is the magnetic pole, towards which the compass needle turns. In the opposite part of the planet is the southernmost continent - Antarctica. You can determine the directions, if one of them is known, using a simple method. You need to stand so that your face is turned to the north. Then the south will be behind, on the left hand - the west, on the right - the east.
Mutual position of the main and intermediate sides of the horizon
There are main directions - north, south, west, east - which are supplemented by intermediate ones. This division is very convenient, it allowsmore accurately determine the position on the ground, find objects on maps and topographic plans. For example, northeast is the side of the horizon that lies between north and east. On maps, plans, dials, in textbooks, reference books, designations are introduced using the first letter of the Russian or Latin name. There is a more detailed division of the sides of the horizon. So, between the directions from and from-to are north-north-east (NNE) and east-north-east (ES).
The cardinal directions on plans, maps and the globe
In the old days, navigators and travelers were guided by maps, on which the north could be at the bottom, and the south at the top. Knowledge of the Earth's surface was imperfect, many geographers made mistakes when plotting objects on plans and maps. There were so-called "white spots" - unexplored areas. As a rule, on modern geographical plans and maps, north is in the upper part, south is located below, west is on the left, east is on the right.
The same principle was used to create the globe. Its upper half is the Northern Hemisphere, the lower half is the Southern. To the left of the prime meridian is the Western Hemisphere, to the right is the Eastern Hemisphere. The place where the ball is attached to the stand is the South Pole, the opposite point is the North Pole. It is easy to find any geographical object if its coordinates are known. North, south, west, east are the main directions, as well as latitude and longitude on the map and globe. Continents, oceans, plains, mountains, seas,cities and other geographical objects that are above the equator have a north latitude, below the 0 ° parallel - south. Objects to the left of the prime meridian have west longitude, to the right - east.
Compass - a device by which directions are determined
Finding the sides of the horizon and navigating the terrain helps a device equipped with a two-color magnetic needle. It usually rotates freely in the center of a round body. The device used to determine directions is the compass. North, south, west, east are indicated by letters on the scale of this device. The red point facing the division "C" or "N" points to the north. The opposite side of the arrow points south. To the left of this axis is west, to the right is east. Inside the compass there is a scale with numbers from 0 to 360 °, located clockwise. The price of division in different devices may differ. Using the compass allows:
- Find out where each of the main parts of the world is located (north, south, east, west).
- Find all intermediate sides of the horizon.
- Find the azimuth - the angle between the object on the ground and the direction to the north.
Compass is necessary for many professions - sailors, pilots, military, builders, geologists, as well as tourists and travelers. There are different types of this device that helps you navigate along the lines of the Earth's magnetic field.
Directions on the terrain (north, south, west, east)
Locate your locationit is possible by celestial bodies, natural phenomena and signs of nearby objects. At noon, when the Sun is in the south, the shadows from vertically placed objects are directed with their apex to the north. At night, you need to try to find the North Star. The two extreme bright points of the Big Dipper, which form the wall of the Big Dipper, are called Pointers. A straight line drawn through them rests directly on the North Star. It is located in the northern half of the sky, belongs to the constellation Ursa Minor.
A good helper for those who get lost is a wrist watch. To find out the direction, turn the dial clockwise towards the Sun. An angle is formed between the line leading to the number 1 (13.00 hours), which is divided in half and a bisector is obtained (it points to the south). Orientation by local signs:
- on the north side of the trees there is a thicker layer of lichens and mosses;
- drier ground under rocks facing south;
- in winter on the north side, the snow stays loose longer;
- anthills are more often located south of hills, trees, stones;
- clearings that divide the forest into quarters are oriented from east to west and from north to south (their serial numbers are marked on the pillars, starting from northwest and southeast).
Each method has an error, which must be taken into account on the ground. It is better to use several methods, then the result will be more accurate.
