The four cardinal directions are:

• North (N) – the direction towards the North Pole
• South (S) – the direction towards the South Pole
• East (E) – the direction where the Sun rises
• West (W) – the direction where the Sun sets

These directions are shown on maps, compasses, and navigational tools using their letters: N, S, E, W.

You can identify cardinal directions using the Sun:

• Sunrise: The Sun always rises in the East. In the morning, if you face the Sun, you are facing East.
• Sunset: The Sun always sets in the West. In the evening, if you face the sunset, you are facing West.

Remembering Directions When Facing East or West

When you are facing East (the sunrise):

• Your back is West
• Your right hand points to South
• Your left hand points to North

When you are facing West (the sunset):

• Your back is East
• Your right hand points to North
• Your left hand points to South

When you are facing North:

• Your back is South
• Your right hand points to East
• Your left hand points to West

Follow these steps to draw the cardinal directions:

1. Draw a circle in the middle of your paper.
2. Draw a straight line from the top of the circle going down through the centre. This line shows North (N) at the top and South (S) at the bottom.
3. Draw another straight line from the left side of the circle going to the right side. This line shows West (W) on the left and East (E) on the right.
4. Your drawing should look like a cross with four equal parts.

When we want to show the direction of an object, we use the cardinal directions. For example:

• "The market is east of the school" means the market is on the side where the Sun rises.
• "The church is north of the house" means the church is towards the North.

On a simple map, if the school is in the centre:

• The market to the right of the school = East
• The church above the school = North
• The shop below the school = South
• The playground to the left of the school = West

Sometimes we need more precise directions. Between the four main directions, there are four more directions called intercardinal directions or ordinal directions:

• Northeast (NE) – between North and East
• Southeast (SE) – between South and East
• Southwest (SW) – between South and West
• Northwest (NW) – between North and West

Now we have eight directions in total.

1. First, draw the four cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) as a cross.
2. Draw a diagonal line between North and East. Write NE (Northeast) at the end.
3. Draw a diagonal line between South and East. Write SE (Southeast) at the end.
4. Draw a diagonal line between South and West. Write SW (Southwest) at the end.
5. Draw a diagonal line between North and West. Write NW (Northwest) at the end.

Your drawing should look like an eight-point star.

Look at this simple map of a school area:

        N
        |
   NW---|---NE
   \    |    /
    \   |   /
  W----[School]----E
    /   |   \
   /    |    \
   SW---|---SE
        |
        S

Now answer these questions:

(a) The market is to the right of the school. What direction is it?

• Answer: East (because East is on the right when facing North)

(b) The church is above the school. What direction is it?

• Answer: North

(c) The playground is diagonally between North and East. What direction is it?

• Answer: Northeast (NE)

(d) The river is diagonally between South and West. What direction is it?

• Answer: Southwest (SW)

A compass is a tool that always points to the North. When you use a compass:

1. Hold the compass flat in your hand.
2. Let the needle settle. The end that points North is usually coloured red.
3. Once you find North, you can find all other directions:
   • South is opposite North (behind you)
   • East is to your right
   • West is to your left

In Tanzania, cardinal directions are very useful in everyday life. For example, when you are travelling to a new place, knowing the cardinal directions helps you give clear directions to a daladala driver or bodaboda rider. If you tell them "turn right towards the East" or "go straight towards the North," they will understand better. Also, farmers use cardinal directions to know which side of their farm gets morning sunlight (East) to decide where to plant crops that need morning sun.