The cardinal direction located opposite the direction of Earth’s rotation and 90 degrees counterclockwise from the point of sunrise is a fundamental concept in geography and navigation. For instance, an observer standing at dawn, gazing directly at the rising sun, will find this specific direction situated on their left-hand side. This relationship stems from the Earth’s east-to-west spin.
This directional principle is crucial for establishing orientation in various fields, including surveying, map-making, and even wilderness survival. Historically, civilizations have relied on this simple observation for basic navigation and the construction of structures aligned with specific points of the compass. Its consistent relationship to solar movement makes it a dependable reference point.
