The most part of so-called "progressive mankind" got used to think that the arrow of a compass always points north strictly. Only, unfortunately, at all not on what is noted by the Pole Star. And especially – not on geographical that is noted by a convergence of meridians. Worse than that: the compass shows … South Pole of Earth. But what?
Such device as compass, would not exist at all if our planet had no magnetosphere. In this case the compass would be useless since it would indicate in anywhere or in any direction depending on an inclination of its dial. Not all planets have a magnetosphere which in some approach can be equated to an ionosphere. The essence of a concept comes down to that, how strongly celestial body is able to reject a stream of solar wind. The earth as a celestial body has rather powerful magnetic field thanks to what, including, protects people from pernicious effect of gamma radiation of the Sun. But, if Earth has magnetic field, under laws of physics it has to have also poles between which magnetic lines stretch. And, of course, they are on Earth. The point of a convergence of power lines of magnetic field of Earth is also that pole to which points the shooter of a compass. There is only a question: whether and Northern it? Why all so solved? And the answer is simple: because it is so convenient to people. Actually so-called "North magnetic Pole of Earth" is the South Pole. It follows, besides, from laws of physics. The arrow of a compass is located strictly along power lines, but its magnetized end will indicate the South Pole since it is known that identical charges of a magnet make a start. Thus, that place where shows the shooter of a compass, actually will be the South magnetic Pole of Earth which people got used to call Northern. It has very strange properties. First, it drifts. I.e. moves rather terrestrial axis pretty fast - apprx. 10 km a year. For comparison – the speed of the movement of tectonic plates is apprx. 1 cm / 10000 years. Secondly, former 400 years from was in the territory of Canada under pack ice whereas now promptly moves towards Taimyr. Speed of its movement is much higher than usual and is 64 km/year. Thirdly, it is not symmetric rather South Pole, and, moreover, their drift is not in dependence from each other. What the phenomenon of drift of magnetic poles to science is connected with is not known. But an unambiguous conclusion follows from kazanny: the arrow of a compass indicates the South magnetic Pole of Earth.