Geography

Americans, for some reason, have developed a worldwide reputation for not being very aware of the world around them -- probably because many people really don't know things. According to David Rutherford, "Young Americans just don't seem to have much interest in the world outside of the U.S."


From a British blogger.

A survey published in 2006 showed very discouraging results:

Despite nearly constant news coverage since the war there began in 2003, 63 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 failed to correctly locate [Iraq] on a map of the Middle East. Seventy percent could not find Iran or Israel.

Nine in ten couldn't find Afghanistan on a map of Asia.

And 54 percent were unaware that Sudan is a country in Africa.

Remember the December 2004 tsunami and the widespread images of devastation in Indonesia?

Three-quarters of respondents failed to find that country on a map. And three-quarters were unaware that a majority of Indonesia's population is Muslim, making it the largest Muslim country in the world.

Half could not find New York State on a map of the United States.

A third of the respondents could not find Louisiana, and 48 percent couldn't locate Mississippi on a map of the United States, even though Hurricane Katrina put these southeastern states in the spotlight in 2005.

Fewer than three in ten think it's absolutely necessary to know where countries in the news are located. Only 14 percent believe speaking another language fluently is a necessary skill.

In 2002, a survey questioned the same age group was questioned in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, and Great Britain. The U.S. did worse than every country except Mexico. It is essential that students and people in general become geographically aware in a world that becomes more and more globalized every day. So, why don't many Americans have a solid grasp on geography?






Obviously, if you're from South it's because we don't have maps.
And if you represent the 6-year-old demographic, it's because to some people, the United States and Asia look similar, or.... you're stupid.