<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (April 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia . See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions . (July 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia . See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions . (July 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> To keep to a bearing is not, in general, the same as going in a straight direction along a great circle . Conversely, one can keep to a great circle and the bearing may change . Thus the bearing of a straight path crossing the North Pole changes abruptly at the Pole from North to South . When traveling East or West, it is only on the Equator that one can keep East or West and be going straight (without need to steer). Anywhere else, maintaining latitude requires a change in direction, requires steering . However, this change in direction becomes increasingly negligible as one moves to lower latitudes . </P>

The four cardinal directions on a compass are north south east and west