Magnetic declination is defined with respect to which meridian?

• A. Magnetic North
• B. True North
• C. Grid North
• D. Polar North

Answer: (B)

Magnetic declination shows how far the direction pointed by a magnetic compass (magnetic north) is from the geographic north line (true north). It is defined with respect to True North because true north provides the fixed geographic reference for bearings, while magnetic north shifts over time and location. This distinction helps you convert compass readings to map-based, true bearings. Grid North is a separate reference tied to map grids and can differ from true north due to projection, so it isn’t the reference used in defining declination.