Capitalize "West" when:
* It's a proper noun:
* Region: "The West Coast of the United States" (referring to a specific geographical region)
* Direction used as a proper noun: "She moved to the West" (referring to the western part of a specific country or region)
* Historical/Cultural References: "The Wild West" (referring to a specific period and cultural region)
* Part of a formal place name: "West Virginia," "Westminster Abbey," "West Elm Street"
* Part of a named organization: "Western Union," "West Side Story"
Do not capitalize "west" when:
* It's a direction: "They walked west."
* It's used in a general sense: "The sun sets in the west."
* It's part of a general description: "The westernmost part of the park is closed."
Tips:
* Context is Key: Consider the meaning in the sentence. If "west" is referring to a specific place or region, it's likely capitalized.
* Check for Consistency: If a document uses a certain capitalization style, stick with it.
* Use a Style Guide: If you are writing for a specific purpose (e.g., academic paper, professional document), consult a style guide (like the Chicago Manual of Style or the AP Stylebook) for guidance.