PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES OF GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

we uses four different preposition to refer to a place where some place is located.

• IN
• ON
• TO
• OF

1. To express that something is located "to the north" of a place, but outside that place 

• to the North of
• to the South of
• to the West of
• to the East of

2. To express that something is located "In the north" of a place, but inside that place.

• In the North
• In the West
• In the East 
• In the South 

3. To express that something is located "the north of" of a place, is inside that place.

• The North of
• The East of
• The South of

FOR EXAMPLE: 

• Australia to the north of Indian ocean
• Coral sea is to the north of Australia 
• Camberra is on the cost south-east of Australia 
• Perth is in the west of Australia.