Hemispherical Arrogance?

I had an interesting thought the other day. I have seen many maps, and anytime I see a map it is oriented the same way. Maps are always oriented with the Northern side on the top. Is there a reason for this? Is it something to do with magnetic North or some other scientific something or other? If you lived somewhere below the equator, wouldn't you want the Southern side to be on top of your map? Aren't you offended? Wouldn't you want to see your half of the world on top? Is it Northern hemispherical arrogance that is to blame for this "standard" orientation of maps? Did you notice that I displayed this arrogance earlier when I made a reference to "below the equator"? Doesn't what is below the equator depend on what side of the equator you are actually on? Why isn't South ever on top?

For that matter, why isn't the Western or Eastern hemisphere, or anything in between, ever on the top of the map?

I envision a map that looks like the above. This is just fair, no?

Original map found at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/buying/buying_power.shtml?&print