amandack t1_jefmemp wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:36 PM

Reply to comment by KingHeroical in There really isn't any reason why north is always upward and south is always downward on maps. by GuinnessTheBestBoi

The north star is only applicable in the northern hemisphere. The Southern cross is what is used in the southern hemisphere, and your argument would work with that. Orient your map to the southern cross, and south will be on the top of the map.

KingHeroical t1_jefohjt wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:49 PM

We're speaking practically rather than technically here:

Nearly 90% of humans live in the northern hemisphere. People who were developing mapping and navigation techniques did so primarily in the northern hemisphere. So for them, 'north on top' was not arbitrary at all but rather very practical.