The North Experimental Area at the Cern Super Proton Synchrotron

The North experimental Area at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron started operation in 1978 and has since then been adapted continuously to new requirements. It consists of two large surface halls EHN1 and EHN2 and an underground cavern ECN3. In this paper we describe the history, overall layout and operating principles of this facility, as well as its present use. In Chapter 1, we describe the overall layout and the rationale behind the North Area. In Chapter 2, we outline the general beam possibilities and beam sharing. In Chapter 3, we describe the beam lines serving the EHN1 hall, including a recent hall extension for the Neutrino Platform with test beams for neutrino detector development and R&D. In Chapter 4, explains the long and complex beam line to the EHN2 surface hall. Chapter 5 presents the beam lines to the underground cavern ECN3. Chapter 6 provides more details on the equipment in the beam lines. Finally, Chapter 7 gives an outlook and possible ideas for future evolution including ideas proposed by the Physics Beyond Colliders study at CERN.