Should the word north be capitalized?

The word "north" is generally not capitalized unless it's part of a proper noun or a specific geographical location.

Here's a breakdown:

When to capitalize:

* Proper nouns: "North America," "North Pole," "North Carolina" (states and regions).

* Formal titles: "The North Star"

* Specific locations: "The North Sea"

When not to capitalize:

* General directions: "We drove north."

* As an adjective: "The north wind is blowing."

* When not part of a proper noun: "They live in the northern part of the city."

Example:

"We drove north to visit the North Carolina coast, where the North Atlantic Ocean meets the North Shore."

In this example, "north" is not capitalized because it's a general direction. The other words are capitalized because they are part of proper nouns (specific locations).