From my well-travelled friend, Zain, comes this article about the sad state of geographic knowledge in the US. Not only is global geography desperately poor; the full report demonstrates that the average 18 to 24 year old American doesn’t know much about his or her own country, either.
Some choice findings:
“Told they could escape an approaching hurricane by evacuating to the northwest, only two-thirds could indicate which way northwest is on a map.”
“Despite nearly constant news coverage since the war there began in 2003, 63 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 failed to correctly locate the country [Iraq] on a map of the Middle East.”
“Seventy percent could not find Iran or Israel.”
“Half could not find New York State on a map of the United States.”
“Nine in ten couldn’t find Afghanistan on a map of Asia.”
“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.”
And the conclusion:
“”It’s discouraging that so many young Americans have so little understanding of the world.”
And that’s an understatement, since the rest of us have to live in that same world that young Americans (who — make no mistake — become older Americans) care so little about. Indeed, one has to wonder if the foreign policy makers of the US would fare any better in the survey.
I think they’d fare worse sometimes.
However, I’d hope that the 510 people surveyed weren’t really respresentative of the entire US :-/
Before you get all smug about the people in your new surroundings, watch De Vakantie Man, if that still exists.
Arguably one of the worst show on television with the most annoying presenter, but with an interesting geography test. When shown a map of Europe with borders outlined but names omnitted, few interviewed were able to locate either the Netherlands or their chosen holiday spot.
Of course there is some creative editting going on there for entertainment value, but it does show the Dutch probably aren’t that much better.
I don’t think that programme is on any more.
If those people are genuinely that stupid, the only thing I can find to say in their favour is that they were at least interested enough in a foreign country to visit it.
More cynically, though, you could say that these people didn’t really visit the country in question; they just wanted somewhere identical to there home country, except for better weather. In the case of sunny destinations especially, that’s all many people are looking for.
It’s a sign of how small the world has become that I remember being in Chiang Mai, Thailand a few years ago, after coming back from a trek in the forests of the Golden Triangle. Back in town, there was a Bavarian restaurant, complete with lederhosen-clad Thai waiting staff, slapping their thighs and walking around with feathers in their hat.
There’s something to be said for cultural isolation, too.