The Four Cardinal Directions: North, South, East, West

North, South, East, West are the primary cardinal directions, defined by Earth's rotation:

• North: Direction toward the Geographic North Pole (90°N).
• South: Direction toward the Geographic South Pole (90°S).
• East: Direction of Earth's rotation; where the Sun appears to rise (approx. at equinoxes).
• West: Opposite of East; where the Sun appears to set (approx. at equinoxes).

Intercardinal (ordinal) directions: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest. Compass bearings: N=0°/360°, E=90°, S=180°, W=270°.

These are universal reference frames for navigation, mapping, and spatial orientation.