Final answer:
Cardinal directions of North, East, South, and West are used globally for clear navigation and spatial communication. They are integral in geography for locating and moving towards specific points on Earth, and are especially critical in languages that do not have terms for 'left' or 'right'.
Step-by-step explanation:
When someone gives you directions using terms like North, East, South, West, they are utilizing cardinal directions to communicate spatial information. Languages without words for 'left' or 'right', like Kuuk Thaayorre, depend on these cardinal directions, which may result in speakers having enhanced spatial awareness, almost like a built-in GPS system.
In geography, cardinal directions are essential for navigating the Earth's surface, especially when precision is necessary, such as guiding someone to a specific location like the fishing hole 6 km northeast from your tent.
In a broader sense, understanding cardinal directions is fundamental when observing natural phenomena, such as the sunrise and sunset which occur approximately in the east and west, respectively. Cardinal directions are clearly defined almost everywhere on Earth except at the poles, where east and west can become ambiguous.
This system of navigation can also be supplemented with instructions using angles or relative directions like 'left' or 'right', but these are less precise. As such, directions based on the compass points are universally understandable and allow for clear communication across different languages and cultural contexts.