60,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!
One app for all your study abroad needs
The four cardinal directions are North, South, East, and West. These are the main directions used in navigation and geography to describe the location and movement of people, objects, or natural elements. Cardinal directions help us understand and describe the position of one place in relation to another.
1. North (N)
North is one of the most important directions, often found at the top of most maps. It points towards the North Pole. When you face the rising sun in the east, north is on your left side. It is commonly used to determine the orientation of a map or to locate places and landmarks.
2. South (S)
South is the opposite of north and lies at the bottom of most maps. It points towards the South Pole. If you face north, south will be directly behind you. South is used in navigation, weather reports, and geography to show direction or movement towards the bottom of the globe.
3. East (E)
East is the direction from which the sun rises. It is located on the right side when facing north. East is essential in understanding time zones, climate patterns, and navigation. Many cultures have given great importance to the east due to its association with sunrise and new beginnings.
4. West (W)
West is the direction in which the sun sets. It lies opposite to the east and is found on the left side when facing north. Like the east, the west has cultural and geographical significance, often symbolizing endings or transitions.
These four directions form the basic framework for more detailed directions like northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest, known as intermediate directions. Understanding cardinal directions is crucial for reading maps, using a compass, and understanding spatial relationships in geography.
In everyday life, cardinal directions help us in activities like finding a route, positioning furniture according to sunlight, or even understanding weather forecasts. Mastering them at an early stage builds strong geographical knowledge and orientation skills.
Common Doubts of Social Science
