Here you go, Father Steve: backup from an "official" source (I've added the bold face):
Specific geographical locations: Hartford, Connecticut, Africa, Forest Park Zoo, Lake Erie, the Northeast, the Southend. However, we do not capitalize compass directions or locations that aren't being used as names: the north side of the city; we're leaving the Northwest and heading south this winter.

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/capitals.htm