South
One of the four cardinal directions, opposite north.
South is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points, directly opposite north and perpendicular to both west and east. The term originates from Old English *sūþ*, which traces back to the Proto-Germanic *sunþaz*, a word possibly related to the same Proto-Indo-European root that gave rise to the word for the sun. In many languages, the concept of south is tied to the sun’s position at noon in the Northern Hemisphere; for instance, Latin uses *meridies* (from *medius* ‘middle’ and *dies* ‘day’) to mean both ‘noon’ and ‘south’. Other languages describe south as the right-hand side of the rising sun, as seen in Biblical Hebrew *teiman* (from *yamin* ‘right’), Aramaic *taymna*, and Syriac *taymna*—a naming pattern that also gave Yemen its name, as the land to the south or right of the Levant. South is commonly abbreviated as S.
By convention, the bottom of a map is south, though reversed maps exist that defy this rule. When using a compass for navigation, a bearing or azimuth of 180° points south. In the Northern Hemisphere outside the tropics, the sun is roughly in the south at midday. True south is one end of Earth’s rotational axis, known as the South Pole, located in Antarctica. Magnetic south points toward the south magnetic pole, which lies some distance from the geographic South Pole. The first person to reach the South Pole was Roald Amundsen of Norway, on 14 December 1911, after Ernest Shackleton of the UK was forced to turn back short of the goal.
Geographically, the term “Global South” refers to the less-developed southern half of the globe, where only 5% of the population has enough food and shelter, compared to 95% in the Global North. The South is characterized by a lack of appropriate technology, political instability, disarticulated economies, and dependence on primary product exports. Country-relative uses of “South” also appear, such as the Southern United States (separated from the Northeast by the Mason–Dixon line) or the South of England, which contrasts politically and economically with the North. The Southern Cone describes the southernmost area of South America, encompassing Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the entire South of Brazil (including the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, and São Paulo); in a narrower sense it covers only Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. South Africa is named for its location
- type
- cardinal direction
- opposite
- north
- abbreviation
- S
- etymology
- Old English sūþ, from Proto-Germanic *sunþaz, possibly related to Proto-Indo-European root for 'sun'
- associated_wind
- Notos (Greek south wind)
Lore & Background
The word south derives from Old English sūþ, from earlier Proto-Germanic *sunþaz, possibly related to the same Proto-Indo-European root that the word sun derived from. Some languages describe south from the fact that it is the direction of the sun at noon in the Northern Hemisphere, like Latin meridies 'noon, south'. Others describe south as the right-hand side of the rising sun, as in Biblical Hebrew תֵּימָן teiman 'south' from יָמִין yamin 'right', giving rise to the name of Yemen, the land to the south/right of the Levant. By convention, the bottom or down-facing side of a map is south, though reversed maps exist. In the Northern Hemisphere outside the tropics, the Sun is roughly in the south at midday. True south is one end of the Earth's axis of rotation, called the South Pole, located in Antarctica. Magnetic south is the direction toward the south magnetic pole, some distance from the geographic pole.
Reader's Guide
South serves as a fundamental reference point for navigation, geography, and cultural identity. The term 'Global South' describes the less-developed southern half of the globe, where only 5% of the population has enough food and shelter, contrasting sharply with the Global North. Country-relative uses include the Southern United States, separated by the Mason–Dixon line, and the South of England, politically and economically distinct from the North. The Southern Cone refers to the southernmost area of South America, encompassing Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and parts of Brazil. South Africa is named for its location at the southern tip of Africa, and Australia derives its name from Latin Terra Australis ('Southern Land'). In the card game bridge, South is one of the players, partnering with North against East and West. In Greek religion, Notos was the south wind, bringer of storms.
Did You Know?
- The word south may be related to the same Proto-Indo-European root as the word 'sun'.
- In Biblical Hebrew, the word for south (teiman) derives from the word for 'right' (yamin), as the right-hand side of the rising sun.
- The country of South Africa is so named because of its location at the southern tip of Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South as a cardinal direction on a map?
South is one of the four fundamental compass points, positioned directly opposite North and at right angles to both East and West. On a standard compass rose or map layout, it anchors the lower portion of the diagram.
Where does the word 'South' come from?
The term traces back to Old English sūþ, which descended from the Proto-Germanic *sunþaz. Linguists connect this lineage to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'sun,' reflecting how the sun reaches its highest arc in the southern sky for Northern Hemisphere observers at midday.
What is the standard abbreviation for South on a map or compass rose?
Across nautical charts, cartographic symbols, and most compass roses, South is denoted by the single letter S.
Which classical wind is associated with the South direction?
In Greek tradition, the south wind is called Notos, one of the four anemoi (directional winds) that ancient mariners used to navigate the Mediterranean and beyond.
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