directions capitalization

North as a point of the compass versus North as a name.

Lowercase north, south, east, and west when they name a direction: drive south. Capitalize them when they are part of a proper name, or when they name a recognized region: North Dakota, the South, West Texas. Do not capitalize southern California unless you are treating it as a set name; we lowercase southern in that use.

Examples

Useturn west at the hall

Usethe American South

Avoidturn West at the hall