East of North and North of East: A Tale of Two Countries (Explained)

North of East and East of North often refer to the countries in these zones, but what do they mean? What do these two places have in common? Which one is better?

In this blog post, I’ll explain these two zones and how they came to be popularly referred to as “North of East” and “East of North” among English-speaking countries.

This article will also brief you on various countries’ cultures in the East of North and North of East. In addition, the traditions of these countries and how they vary from each other are also covered in this article.

Moreover, the article also explains the major cultural differences between these regions and even my opinion regarding the country that falls into each zone.

Map with compass

What Is the East of North?

The east of north describes any country between due east and north but which is not near to, or a part of, either. Strictly speaking, there are no countries in these regions (as such); instead, we talk about countries south or west/east/north-east/north-west of other nations. For example, a country can be described as lying east of north if it lies directly to its east but is not located on a northern latitude. Some examples include:

  • Iran
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • China.

These countries lie east of the north and east of Russia (considered due north). They’re also technically not in northern latitudes themselves. In fact, only three countries exist which could strictly be said to have east-of-north locations:

  • Kazakhstan
  • Mongolia
  • Japan

However, there’s some debate about whether these three should really fall into their own category separate from simply being northern.

What Is the North of East?

North of East describes any country or the point midway between the north and east compass points.
The idea of the North of East is one that has become popular in business circles lately, particularly with companies looking to expand into Asian markets.

But what does it mean? To understand, you must look at how Eastern and Western cultures interact. The West is more interested in rationally achieving goals, while the East strongly focuses on interpersonal relationships.

These differences can be seen throughout history; Chinese culture values harmony above all else. People may not live extravagantly by Western standards, but they are content with their lifestyle because they care more about the people around them than wealth or social status.

Today, these values are still present in many Asian countries. This means that products and services emphasizing building personal relationships over making cold, hard cash will do well here.

Thailand – Siam to Thailand

Traditional Thai culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism, which was introduced from India around 500 CE. The country’s Mahayana form became widespread under King Rama I in 1782.

Originally, monasteries were built everywhere in Thailand but have been torn down since Buddhist groups were outlawed during World War II. Wats (temples) are now a rarity outside Bangkok and other large cities.  Since then, Thailand has also had to contend with Western influences and its own recent history.

After World War II, soldiers returning home brought back movies and records from America that popularized rock ‘n roll music and Hollywood glamour worldwide. In 1956, RCA Victor released Elvis Presley’s first album. In 1958, Pat Boone recorded his version of Fats Domino’s Ain’t That a Shame?—the first single to sell over one million copies.

Japan – The Land of the Rising Sun

Culture is an important part of life, and in Japan, culture is crucial. The history and culture are intricately connected to each other. In fact, it’s hard to talk about one without referring to both.

They have a distinct history and an equally distinguished culture. Every aspect of their society has developed over time because their history forced them to be different from other cultures around them for survival purposes. In fact, much of Japanese culture can only be fully understood by looking at its history. And that includes kimonos. Kimonos are traditional clothing worn by women in Japan.

It’s a long robe-like garment made of silk or cotton fabric with colorful patterns. Kimonos can vary depending on their region, but they all share certain characteristics, such as how they’re tied or how many layers there are (for example).

One thing you may not know about kimonos is that most modern ones aren’t really used anymore outside of ceremonies like weddings or tea ceremonies.

Philippines – Islands to the West

The Philippines, or little Spain in Spanish, is a Southeast Asian country that was ruled by Spain for almost 300 years (1521–1898). Despite being culturally and historically linked to Europe, it lies on an island called Luzon in a zone known as Oceania. Today, most people from Oceania identify as Pacific Islanders instead.

The country has both Indian and African bloodlines thanks to its long history of trading with merchants from India and Africa. 

The Philippine culture revolves around a strong community mentality. Filipinos are highly family-oriented, so many have large families—the national average hovers around 5 children per household. Families take care of one another, even if they don’t live in close proximity to each other.

Grandparents help their grandchildren just as much as parents help their kids; no one feels obligated to look after anyone else’s child because it’s simply seen as part of family life.

China – The Red Dragon

The history of China and its culture is a long one. Though today’s society certainly has its fair share of problems, it’s still regarded as a beautiful country with a lot to offer anyone visiting or living there. This can result from very old cultures, traditions, and values passed down for centuries.

There are many regional variations in China due to geographic separation, but similarities can be found across all regions. The Chinese have always loved food and enjoyed great feasts with friends and family since ancient times. 

A historical understanding will help you better understand China’s modern society. This will also help you to avoid cultural faux pas that can offend your hosts. Chinese people are very proud of their country and its rich history, so it’s important to be respectful when visiting or living there.

It’s best to learn as much as possible about local customs and traditions in China before visiting a new region or city. You should research beforehand to know the expected behavior of visitors in China.

For example, many people don’t realize that tipping isn’t a custom in China, so it can come off as rude if you tip for services rendered during your visit.

Indonesia – East Indies

The culture and history of Indonesia are rich and fascinating, often depicted as a blend between Asia and Arabia. However, their country’s official name is the Republic Indonesia or the Republic of Indonesia.

This is significant because it represents a move away from former colonies such as The Netherlands and Spain. A nation in Southeast Asia with more than 18,000 islands along its coastlines, humans have inhabited Indonesia since around 50,000 BC.

However, that changed when The Netherlands took control of Indonesia in 1795 and began to colonize it. While under Dutch rule, Indonesian citizens were forced to use Dutch names and only spoke Dutch (the colonial language). This period is referred to as The Dark Ages of Indonesia’s history due to these oppressive measures enacted on citizens by their colonizers. In 1942, Japan invaded Java Island during World War II.

As an ally of Germany then, Japan promised independence if they helped them take over Java Island—and they did just that. Unfortunately for Japan (and fortunately for Indonesians), they lost World War II after dropping two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending Japanese rule over Java Island again.

Singapore – The Garden City

Although not as well-known as other Asian cities, Singapore’s culture is varied and dynamic. Historically, it was part of an area that included Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of Thailand (called Malaya). The mixture of people from these areas led to a city with a mix of cultures and languages—the three official languages are:

  • English Mandarin
  • Chinese
  • Malay

While many Singaporeans are ethnically Chinese (74%), they celebrate their cultural diversity through food and festivals. For example, although more than 80% of its citizens are ethnic Chinese, there is no national religion, It is a newly minted nation-state. Currently, it has an amazing mix of cultures and history. Asian food festivals are known to draw in big crowds.

The Difference Between the East of North and the North of East

The east and west of the north may seem the same, but many differences exist. The most obvious difference includes geography and direction. For example, if you travel east from your location, you will arrive at the East of the North, whereas traveling north from where you are now will lead you to the North of the East. These two regions have completely different geographic locations and axes.

Due to these differences in location and axis, each region has its own unique weather patterns and cultural character, which will be explored later on in detail. History is the other big difference between the East of North and North of East. While Western powers colonized both regions over a century ago, they evolved differently due to their geographies. 

Geographical Characteristics

Most countries in either East of North or North of East are located on large bodies of water (Atlantic Ocean/Pacific Ocean/Gulf of Mexico) rather than inland seas like Europe or huge oceans like India.

This means that although land borders separate them from neighboring regions, these countries still share a similar warm climate with plenty of tropical fruits growing all year long and average weather.

Notable exceptions include Japan, which is located along an inland sea; Korea, whose peninsula separates China and Japan; Russia, whose Bering Sea coast separates it from Alaska; China, whose southern tip borders Vietnam while its northern tip stretches into Mongolia; as well as Alaska where tundra meets forests due to proximity with Canada’s water bodies.

Conclusion

Moving from the north axis to the east is known as the East of the North. If you drive north from the east axis, it’s called North of East. This is the major difference that sets both of these apart.

  • These regions are influenced by their unique weather patterns and cultural characteristics.
  • History and geography have influenced the cultures of these countries. 
  • Most countries in these zones are located near large bodies of water. They contribute to their warm climates and tropical fruit production.
  • Notable exceptions include Japan, Korea, Russia, China, and Alaska, each with unique features.
  • Culture is a nation’s treasure, passed down through generations, representing its identity.
  • Every country’s history, struggles, and sacrifices contribute to its value.
  • “East of North” and “North of East” offer rich cultural backgrounds. They have their captivating histories, making them worth visiting to experience firsthand.

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