--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 22:45:57 -0800
From: "Virginia R. Hetrick" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Not always up
Sender: "Virginia R. Hetrick" <[log in to unmask]>



Hi, Naomi -

Back in the days when I was learning to draw maps, the instructor made the point
that it is customary to draw maps with north at the top as a matter of
convention.  One of his points was that, by orienting the map with north at the
top, you saved some work because you wouldn't need to draw a north arrow.  Later,
Phil Muehrcke and John Sherman made the point about the matter of convention to me
in conversation while I was a graduate student at UW.

However, when I went to Australia the first time, I came on a map of Australia
with south at the top.  I later saw the same map in the Rand McNally store on
Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  I chuckled when I noticed that there was no north
arrow.  I don't know to this day what the convention is.  ;-)

As an aside, after I've been someplace, I don't generally need a map to get there
again, I can find my way pretty much of the time.  But, while I was in Australia,
I needed to return the rental car to the airport which I knew was northwest of
Melbourne.  Imagine my surprise when I wound up on a cliff overlooking the ocean!
While I might not need a map, I do need to remember that in the southern
hemisphere, the sun goes across the northern sky!  ;-(

vh
--
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