noordpijl

Noordpijl is the Dutch term for the north-pointing arrow found on maps, compasses, and digital navigation interfaces. It indicates geographic north and helps users orient themselves in relation to the cardinal directions. In cartography, the noordpijl is often part of the compass rose or shown as a single prominent arrow. On many maps, the arrow is red or marked with the letter N, though color and style vary by mapmaker and era.

Conventions regarding the noordpijl differ. Traditional paper maps commonly display a fixed noordpijl in a corner of the map, while some digital maps implement a rotation-friendly approach where the noordpijl remains aligned to true north as the map or the user interface is rotated. In signage and wayfinding, the noordpijl assists hikers and travelers and is sometimes accompanied by secondary arrows indicating other directions.

In Dutch cartographic practice, the term is widely understood among professionals and enthusiasts. The noordpijl is conceptually the same as the compass rose or the generic compass arrow used in many languages and mapping traditions. In geographic information systems (GIS) and map-making software, the north arrow is a standard element in layouts and can be customized in color, size, and symbolism to suit the map’s design.

See also: compass rose, compass, navigation, north arrow, orientation. The idea of indicating north on maps dates back to early modern cartography and has evolved with advances in printing and digital mapping.