[FrankSA (OP)]

Why is North considered as "up" as depicted on maps and globes? Surely a traveller from another part of the universe, if approaching earth and seeing the southern hemisphere at the top would consider South as "up". I am from South Africa so I am a little concerned that ourselves and the Australians are always considered as "down-under".

[Chemistry4me]

Hey!! What about us?!

Check out: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=19401.0

[FrankSA (OP)]

Oh sorry I forgot, we play Rubgy against you guys and normally win, and then there's South America as well. But yes, have a look at the globe with South as "up", it's far more pleasing to the eye.

[Chemistry4me]

I think North is considered 'up' because that is where the majority of the population and land mass is. I mean, just imagine the pandemonium if the map was upside down!

[FrankSA (OP)]

Yes just imagine... I'm still a staunch supporter for it being downsideup, us Southerners would be on top of the world!

[Ophiolite]

All the  major exploratory and cartogrpahic efforts orginated in the Northern Hemisphere. It was natural, therefore, to have North as up. It's the same reason the Greenwich Meridian is the prime meridian. If it hadn't been it would have been Paris, for much the same reason.

[FrankSA (OP)]

Ok thanks I thought there was a scientific explanation

[syhprum]

I think early Chinease maps had north at the bottom.

[Monox D. I-Fly]

I think early Chinease maps had north at the bottom.

Huh? Why?

[alancalverd]

The nearest thing to a fixed point in our universe is Polaris, which is always "up", so maps drawn in in the northern hemisphere will logically use that convention. You can then transfer the standard to the southern hemisphere, which has no convenient stellar reference, once you have invented the magnetic compass. Polynesian ocean maps don't bother with such trivia - you navigate by looking at the surface of the sea, but it takes a lifetime to learn how.

[Petrochemicals]

Because around 75% of land, 80% of people, and 100% of ancient interlectual  history and advanced cultures are in the northern hemisphere.

[yor_on]

I think its a social context.
Doesn't mean I'm correct though :)