What is the primary difference between "magnetic north" and "true north"?

The primary difference between "magnetic north" and "true north" is indeed that true north is based on geographical position, which refers to the North Pole, the point where all longitudinal lines converge. Conversely, magnetic north is determined by the Earth's magnetic field and represents the direction a magnetic compass points, which can vary depending on the location of the observer and changes over time due to shifts in the Earth's magnetic field.

True north remains constant, providing a fixed reference based on the Earth's geometry, making it essential for navigation and mapping. In contrast, magnetic north can fluctuate, with the position of magnetic north shifting because of magnetic declination, the angle difference between true north and magnetic north at any particular location. This is critical for navigators and cartographers who need to adjust their bearings based on these differences to ensure accurate directionfinding.

Considering these distinctions, the statement about true north being based on geographic position and magnetic north being based on compass direction accurately captures the essence of the difference between the two concepts.