(the) west of the country or (the) West of the country?

[erskina]

Hello,
I have a problem with this sentence:

The west and center of the country voted in majority on X. Y. and the east and south on V. B.

Is that correct? Maybe it should be capitalized: The West and the Center...?

In the following part of the same text there is an another sentence with directions as names of parties of the country:

In fact, Ukraine historically and culturally is divided into three regions: 1) West, which until 1939 was greatly influenced by the Latin civilisation; 2) Centre, (...) ; 3) East and South.

Should there be "the West" etc. instead of "West"?

What are the rules?
I will be grateful for explanation.

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forums, erskina.

The points of the compass and associated directions are not capitalised unless they are part of the name of a geographical feature.

He lives in the south of England. She lives in South Carolina.

We sailed through the Northwest Passage. They travelled southeast from Paris to Milan.

Rover