Only 71% Americans can locate Pacific Ocean on a map

Forbes ^ | May 12, 2003 Issue | Paul Recer

[yankeedame]

Survey Says

A National Geographic study released [in November] found that only about one in seven Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 could find Iraq [on a map]. Although 58% knew that the Taliban and al Qaeda were based in Afghanistan, only 17% could find that country.

The survey asked 56 geographic and current events questions of young people in nine countries.

Americans got an average of 23 correct answers. Mexico ranked last with an average score of 21. Topping the scoring was Sweden, with an average of 40, followed by Germany and Italy, each with 38.

Other findings: When asked to find 10 specific states on a map of the U.S., only California and Texas could be located by a large majority. Only 51% could find New York.

On a world map, Americans could find on average only 7 of 16 countries in the quiz. Only 89% of the Americans surveyed could find their own country.

Only 71% of the surveyed Americans could locate the Pacific Ocean.

--Paul Recer, Associated Press

(And, while we're on the subject this from USA Today/Forbes)

"No idea in politics has hurt children more than the false and misleading idea that the quality of education is determined by how much we spend.

"More than 35 years after Congress passed the first Elementary and Secondary Education Act, public school spending per pupil has more than doubled--even when adjusted for inflation--from $3,331 in 1965-1966 to $8,194 in 2000-2001.

" In fact, the federal government has spent more than $321 billion on education programs since 1965. Every year, spending on K-12 education by all levels of government exceeds $400 billion.

"Yet, citizens must ask, what have we gotten for all this? Fewer than a third of fourth-graders can read proficiently.

"No, the problem isn't--and never has been--money alone. This is just the most tired of all excuses. If there is no account-ability, or schools use unproven fads for instruction, it doesn't matter how much money is thrown at a problem; it will be wasted."

--Rod Paige, Secretary of Education

[mewzilla]

Just more proof of why polls are a joke.

[anniegetyourgun]

"Only 71% of the surveyed Americans could locate the Pacific Ocean."

Cut us some slack - it would take at least 4-5 days for most on the east coast to locate the Pacific Ocean.

[Segale2001]

If true, we will all need On-star.

[Segale2001]

If true, we will all need On-star.

[Uncle George]

Thats bad but have you ever tried to get the right change at the drive through burger when the cash register quit working?, Sheeshhhhh.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Good Lord! Help us.

[wideawake]

Sweden and Germany can continue to excel in geography.

The US is happy to continue to excel in business, warfighting and technological innovation.

[areafiftyone]

What is an East Coast? ;-)

[cynicom]

The 29% that could not locate the Pacific Ocean live on the west coast.

[mabelkitty]

Gamblers know, because they know where Atlantic City is.

[mewzilla]

We're the right coast. :)

[xp38]

Street Smarts is true reality tv along with Jay Leno's jaywalking segment.

[Lou L]

The US is happy to continue to excel in business, warfighting and technological innovation.

Surely, you realize that an understanding of geography is essential for all of these, do you not?

[Kerberos]

"but have you ever tried to get the right change at the drive through burger when the cash register quit working?,"

Or worse yet, trying giving them $21 dollars when the bill comes to $10.59 and see what happens.

[ArneFufkin]

Pacific Ocean ... oooh oooh oooh ... that's part of the Atlantic Ocean right?

"Don't know much about histerectomy. Don't know much ... GEOLOGY ... Don't know much (THE END)

[LurkedLongEnough]

Ridiculous claim to get people to buy more magazines.

[tcostell]

I know who can fix this,... the NEA. All we need to do is pay them 75,000 per student per year for a decade or so, and in no time they'll have that number down to 65%.

I can't think of anthing I have less respect for that a public school teacher.

[TankerKC]

Only 71% of the surveyed Americans could locate the Pacific Ocean.

I just don’t believe that.