What term is used to describe the difference between true north and magnetic north?

The term that describes the difference between true north and magnetic north is known as declination. Declination is a crucial concept in navigation and cartography because it accounts for the variance between the direction that a compass points (magnetic north) and the actual direction of the North Pole (true north). This difference occurs due to the irregularities in the Earth's magnetic field and can vary depending on your geographic location.

Understanding declination is essential for accurate navigation, as failing to account for this difference can lead to errors in course plotting. When using a map and compass, it is important to adjust for declination to ensure that you are moving in the desired direction relative to true north. This adjustment helps in maintaining accuracy whether you are hiking, hunting, or navigating through various terrains.