What do these numbers on my compass mean?

[dicky113]

Hi all,

Sorry this is a repost but the first one came up in computers for some reason, the sports button on my screen doesnt seem to work.

I have a Silva 4/54 compass with a rotating bezel. On the inside of the bezel it is marked up to 360 degrees, no problem there. On the top of the bezel it is numbered 2,4,6 etc up to 62 and then North at 64. East = 16, South=32 and West= 48. I am sure that this is going to be something really obvious and that I will kick myself but at the moment I have no idea at all what these numbers indicate.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

[Clanad]

Declination correction. to account for magnetic variation.. 'East is least, West is Best' (subtract easterly variation and add westerly)... in England, all variation will be westerly, probably about 5 degrees, but that's entirely dependent on several factors. A good topographic map will indicate current variation data...
The Agonic line (0 degrees variation) is a non-linear line of zero variation that runs around the world (N-S). It runs roughly through the State of Indiana here in the U.S.and over the Island of Jakarta, Indonesia on the other side of the globe... Here's a chart to show you how big the numbers can get over the surface of the planet:
http://www.mission-planning.com/Jan05_News.htm

Best of luck!