Not to be offensive... why do Americans have such a poor sense of geography?

[FreeThinkers]

I don't mean to be offensive, but why are Americans so poorly educated in geography? I recently read somewhere that 20% of adult educated Americans can't find France on a map. I know they know the fifty states and plenty of their own geography, but Ireland is divided into 32 parts and we still know all those in Irish and English as well as knowing the geography of the rest of the world (incl. America's fifty states).

In primary school at about 11 years of age, all Irish children learn the capitals of every single country in the world and where each of them is located.

I met an American once when I was on holiday in Holland and although he seemed quite intelligent he did not know that Ireland and England were two seperate countries or what the capital of Iraq (the country America is at war with) is.

I watched the American news once, and Iraq was not mentioned. The Irish news features the latest events in Iraq every day, and we are not the ones at war with them.

I am not saying the American people are stupid, I'm just wondering... are they too self-absorbed?

I'd love to hear from someone who is American and could tell us about the American education system.

[spidergoat]

why are Americans so poorly educated in geography?

We are poorly educated in general.

[one_raven]

I'd love to hear from someone who is American and could tell us about the American education system.

I'm an American.

I am not saying the American people are stupid, I'm just wondering... are they too self-absorbed?

Absolutely.
Very astute.
You hit the nail right on the head.

[Plazma Inferno!]

It's a hoax. Americans invented Geography.

[spidergoat]

Part of it might be that higher education at the university level is limited by income. So, people that are poor and know they can't afford college won't care about knowing stuff they won't have to know in the work force.

[leopold]

In primary school at about 11 years of age, all Irish children learn the capitals of every single country in the world and where each of them is located.

how many "countries of the world" are there?

[spidergoat]

Yeah, but they forget it over the summer.

[Nickelodeon]

Because America is the only important thing to worry about. All those backward countries elsewhere are of no concern.

[spidergoat]

Besides, in Ireland you can just drive to Paris or London, right? So you have more countries around you.

[orcot]

how many "countries of the world" are there?

america recognises 193 countries (note that they for example see greek and turkish cyprus as the same country). So it kinda depends on what country you live in.

But yeah I heard that american geography in very self centerd. With little people who could for example find vietnam or Iraq on a map.

[Nickelodeon]

Besides, in Ireland you can just drive to Paris or London, right? So you have more countries around you.

If you have a car that runs underwater....

[spidergoat]

Don't they have that tunnel thingy?

[Nickelodeon]

Between England and France, not Ireland.

[spidergoat]

So, they can just go to France and take it from there, duh.

[Plazma Inferno!]

Don't they have that tunnel thingy?

Between England and France, not Ireland.

True geography discussion!

[FreeThinkers]

Umm, don't know what the hell you're on about, the channel tunnel is between Kent and Calais, Ireland is an ISLAND

[FreeThinkers]

Besides, in Ireland you can just drive to Paris or London, right? So you have more countries around you.

I think you've just proved my point...

[leopold]

Umm, don't know what the hell you're on about, the channel tunnel is between Kent and Calais, Ireland is an ISLAND

spidergoat is a mod too !

isn't that also called the "chunnel"

[Nickelodeon]

spidergoat is a mod too !

isn't that also called the "chunnel"

Yes, its all in the wiki under France

[leopold]

Yes, its all in the wiki under France

shouldn't that be "under the english channel" ?