&gt;Nearly all maps we&#x27;re exposed to growing up have North at the top of the page.<p>Heh, you say that as if I didn&#x27;t know! ;)<p>I&#x27;m sure you&#x27;ve noticed that in computer UIs, all the &quot;3D&quot; effects are based on the sun being at the top. Same with geography -- it&#x27;s easier for me to visualize the terrain if the sun is at the top. That means South-up in the northern hemisphere, and North-up in the southern hemisphere.<p>Always fun to watch that West Wing clip.