How many north and south poles are there?

Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Science > Geography > Hemispheres > Northern Hemisphere > North Pole > How many north and south poles are there?
Answer:
There are five north poles and 4 south poles; I think I'd better elaborate on that:

  • There is a magnetic north pole.
  • A "centre of rotation" north pole - which is roughly the axis of rotation of the Earth (although because the Earth wobbles slightly, it isn't exactly on the axis).
  • A geomagnetic pole - where the magnetic dipole of the Earth's magnetic field meets the surface.
  • A magnetic north pole - where a compass would point straight down - this is different from the geomagnetic pole.
  • A geographic north pole - the furthest point from any coast.

The south pole has all the above, apart from the geographic pole as it is on land.

There is also a town in Alaska called North Pole and an "additional" south pole, the ceremonial south pole; an area set aside for photo opportunities at the South Pole Station. It is located a short distance from the Geographic South Pole, and consists of a metallic sphere on a plinth, surrounded by the flags of the Antarctic Treaty signatory states.
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First answer by Mediatech. Last edit by Apepper. Contributor trust: 335 [recommend contributorrecommended]. Question popularity: 5 [recommend question].

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