Before the invention of the compass direction depends mainly on human identify the sun,the moon and other celestial bodies,such as trees or rocks markers,however,the direction of these means of identification has its limitations:rely on celestial bodies to identify the direction in bad weather environment can not be achieved,for example,rain,fog,overcast sky.markers to identify and rely on the direction limited to a small range.
Later,people discovered the North-South magnetic properties very invented the compass.Thus can be in any environment under the direction of accurate identification.
Compass greatest contribution is to promote the development of the maritime and maritime transport developed,such as the compass and the discovery of the New World are功不可没.