This electronic compass has a magnetic sensor for detecting two predetermined axis components out of the three geomagnetic axis components in a location and generating biaxial magnetic detection data corresponding to the magnitudes of the components, an acceleration sensor for detecting three axis components of the acceleration thereof and generating triaxial acceleration detection data corresponding to the three axis components, and an azimuth angle detection unit for calculating assumed magnetic detection data corresponding to the one remaining undetected axis component of the three geomagnetic axis components from the biaxial magnetic detection data, the triaxial acceleration detection data, and the magnitude and the magnetic dip of the geomagnetic field and detecting an azimuth angle by determining the component of the geomagnetic field parallel to the surface of the earth using the assumed magnetic detection data.