The northeast direction is located at a 45-degree angle between north and east. It is the compass direction that points towards the rising sun in the morning, just to the left of east. This direction is commonly used in navigation and cartography to indicate a general direction that is neither strictly north nor strictly east.

The reason for this orientation is based on the Earth's spherical shape and the way in which compasses work. A traditional compass needle aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, which runs from the magnetic North Pole to the magnetic South Pole. The magnetic North Pole is not exactly the same as the geographic North Pole, which is the point where Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. This discrepancy, known as magnetic declination, can vary depending on location and can affect the accuracy of compass readings.

According to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the magnetic declination in the United States ranges from about 10 degrees west in the Pacific Northwest to about 20 degrees east in the Southeast. This means that in some parts of the country, a compass needle will point slightly to the left of true north. However, for the purpose of determining the northeast direction, this declination is not a significant factor, as the compass needle will still align with the magnetic field and point towards the northeast quadrant.

The concept of cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—has been used for centuries to navigate and communicate directions. The northeast direction is one of the four primary cardinal directions, and it is essential for understanding and interpreting maps, as well as for practical applications such as construction, surveying, and outdoor activities.

In summary, the northeast direction is a compass direction that points towards the rising sun in the morning, just to the left of east. It is determined by the Earth's magnetic field and is essential for navigation and cartography. The magnetic declination in the United States can vary, but it does not significantly affect the alignment of the compass needle with the northeast direction.