Aspect: orientation to the sun

The standard

A stated aspect names the compass direction and inclination of the parcel it refers to. A compass direction alone describes the situation only by half.

Criteria

  • It names the compass direction of the slope
  • It names the degree of slope inclination
  • It refers to a delimited parcel, not the whole estate
  • It remains constant across the years

Distinction

Aspect ≠ altitude: one describes the orientation, the other the height above sea level. Aspect ≠ microclimate: a stated aspect is a cause of the local climate, not the local climate itself.