Can a map still be considered a map if it doesn’t have a north arrow?
Yes. A north arrow is an optional map accompaniment and you should think critically about your map to determine for yourself if it needs a north arrow or not. For what it’s worth, often a map should not have a north arrow. I’ll dive into some considerations for a map’s north-arrow-worthiness, with a handful of examples. Buckle up for 2/3 fact and 1/3 opinion!
0:00 Overly self conscious introduction
0:45 North arrow? Scale, Orientation, and Projection
2:04 World map, Gall Stereographic
2:31 World map, Equal Earth
2:55 Sulawesi Island, Gall Stereographic
3:26 CONUS, Albers
3:55 Colorado, Albers
4:24 Summit County, Albers
4:46 Delta Mills, Mercator
5:00 Thinking critically
TL;DR: A map is not a checklist, it’s a communication device. Some maps really ought to have a north arrow, some really ought not, and some can take it or leave it. North arrows are a convenient trope for considering all design elements of a map and owning the creative process rather than deferring to a list of requirements.
Happy mapping! John