Most maps show the North Pole at the top not for any good reason, it has become a convention.
It’s just been the way most map makers through time, most of whom have lived in the Northern Hemisphere, have shown the world on paper.
Many common geographic terms are are derived from ancient Greek words.
For example, the word hemisphere means half a globe.
Thus the Northern Hemisphere refers to the northern half of the earth, the Southern Hemisphere means the southern half, and the Eastern and Western Hemispheres refer to the eastern and western halves of the globe.
Related Posts
-
How Cold Is the South Pole and Why Is It Colder At the South Pole Than At the North Pole?
Much of the temperature difference between the two poles can be explained by their difference in elevation. The North Pole, with monthly average temperatures in winter of around -22°F, lies on sea ice…
-
What Time Is It At the North Pole, Does the North Pole Have a Time Zone, and What Time Do You Want It To Be?
There are two answers to this question. The first is that the time for a person is the time determined by her or his circadian rhythm. Initially, this physiological time will be close…
-
What is used as a pole star in the Southern Hemisphere where navigators can’t see the North Star?
The closest thing to a south star for navigators south of the equator is a pair of stars in the Southern Cross, Crux Australis (or just Crux to astronomers). Alpha Crucis (its brightest…
-
Why Do We See Different Stars and Constellations In the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere?
Yes, but you won't see our summer stars, but their summer stars. You see another set of constellations, including many we never see, summer or winter. As you travel south, the constellations near…
-
Why Do Toilets Flush Counterclockwise In the Northern Hemisphere and Clockwise In the Southern Hemisphere?
It's just another one of those urban legends, probably started by an overenthusiastic physics teacher. But it's based upon a grain of truth. Moving fluids such as air and water are slightly affected…
-
Why Do Penguins Live in Antarctica at the South Pole and Not in the Arctic at the North Pole?
Penguins don't live in the Arctic because they don't like having to swim across warm water. They are perfectly happy where they are, however, you'd be surprised how far north they can go.…
