I've been asked a few times why Americans don't know geography, and the answer really seems to surprise people not from the states. Geography simply isn't taught in school. In about 2-3rd grade (ages 7-8ish) we are taught the continents, in fifth grade (age 10ish) we are taught the names of the states and maybe if you had a good teacher you were taught the capitals. And that's it. The only other geography you get is if you maybe take world history or earth science classes at a later age. It's really no surprise that so many Americans have no idea where places are on a map.
That's true. I'm from Chile and I spent a few months in the US going to school as an 11 year old. We had to memorise the state's and their main produce, but at the same time the teacher was looking for Chile in Europe when he wanted to show it to the children on a map, as he thought it was in Spain because I spoke Spanish and wasn't Mexican...
Whaaaaat?? I guess that is the result of living in a country the size of a continent with only 2 land borders. Europeans literally walk down the street and they are in the next country and a new language is being spoken. Guess a European not knowing geography would be waaaay worse! (LOVE your channel by the way! Been subbed for years)
As an American I’d bet on myself in a geography contest against any average European. I’ve always took a liking to it, now I’m studying it at university.
A lot of US states have things called “enhanced driver’s licenses” which allow travel from the US to Canada and Mexico with just a driver’s license (no passport required), which might cause some confusion. Still goofy to have to ask if it’s “international travel” lol. I bet a lot of these questions were asked by Americans and I apologize for my country’s inadequate education system (especially when it comes to anywhere but the US!) Also, while it’s way closer to the US in size than many may know, Brazil is actually around 500,000 square miles short of the US in terms of landmass!
Thanks, had a good chuckle from some of these 😁. My parents also bought me a globe when I was a kid, it actually helped me learn to read because I would spend a long time looking at the place names.
It's so nice to find out that I'm not the only Google Maps freak 😂. Google Maps is literally my best friend and I'm always checking all sorts of things haha. How do people even come up with these questions? It's very creative and scary at the same time.
@@WelshASMR82Maps I know right? Me too! Also when I'm laying in bed and all of the sudden a random thought crossing my mind, I just need to check it 😂. It's almost addictive.
Uh, just a little correction here. Oceania consists of 14 UN countries. It does include Australia as you say, but also countries such as New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and the Cook Islands. There are also dependencies such as New Caledonia and American Samoa.
@guitartrumpetflute Oceania is Australia continent. It's just called something different. There is only 1 continent there its just named differently in different countries.
I love the fact that most people don't know what the 7 continents are still. I know some countries still use Oceania rather than Australia as a continent
The first question about what country am I in is almost certainly related to VPNs. It’s a quick way to check if your browser actually is connected to the region you were hoping for
The First question, is a way to check if your VPN connection is working. If you set yourself as appearing in another country to browse sites, you can check it is working by asking Google what country it thinks you are in.
Could the people asking "What country am I in?"be testing Google" to see if it has the ability to locate them? Maybe they have a VPN and want to see if Google will respond by telling them they're in the country they've designated?
Gotta call you out on something you got wrong. Although not by much the country of Brazil is smaller than the U.S. Also the geographic center of North America is in North Dakota within 100 miles of canada. The center of the U.S. is in Kansas though. One thing ill add, i think part of what doesnt help us Americans with geography is not only do we have only 2 land borders, plus we are enourmous. The vast majority of Americans never travel probably more than 100 miles away from where they grew up.
Yes, I sympathise. In Europe, you travel an hour and you can go through two countries in that time. It's funny for us because we are so used to hearing foreign languages and seeing other countries. A weekend trip to us would be in Paris or Rome. We are really lucky
It's ridiculous for me as a Russian that so many Americans don't know geography. We learn about continents, countries and planet Earth itself from 5th to 11th class (we have 11 classes)
Technically, "third world" just means a country was neutral during the Cold War. Capitalist countries allied with the U.S. were the first world. Communist countries allied with Russia were the second world. And everyone else was the third world. But I doubt the Googler knew that.
It's interesting that you keep going back to the point of Americans having two 'neighbours' being the reason for their general lack of knowledge when it comes to geography. I live in Australia, we share no borders with anyone and I think in general, our geography is pretty good. It's all down to the education system.
13:30 That is a really NOT American thing to ask. In fact, it's completely illogical to think an actual American asked that. We know what country we're in. Our geographical knowledge isn't THAT bad. 🤨 16:42 It's still a stupid question, but Brazil is *smaller* than the US, not larger.
Honestly, the assumption that people aren't that stupid is the worst assumption. I taught a kid once (in Wales) who thought the Eiffel Tower was in Cardiff. People can be stupid!
I've been asked a few times why Americans don't know geography, and the answer really seems to surprise people not from the states. Geography simply isn't taught in school. In about 2-3rd grade (ages 7-8ish) we are taught the continents, in fifth grade (age 10ish) we are taught the names of the states and maybe if you had a good teacher you were taught the capitals. And that's it. The only other geography you get is if you maybe take world history or earth science classes at a later age. It's really no surprise that so many Americans have no idea where places are on a map.
That's true. I'm from Chile and I spent a few months in the US going to school as an 11 year old. We had to memorise the state's and their main produce, but at the same time the teacher was looking for Chile in Europe when he wanted to show it to the children on a map, as he thought it was in Spain because I spoke Spanish and wasn't Mexican...
Oh dear god 😅
Whaaaaat?? I guess that is the result of living in a country the size of a continent with only 2 land borders. Europeans literally walk down the street and they are in the next country and a new language is being spoken. Guess a European not knowing geography would be waaaay worse! (LOVE your channel by the way! Been subbed for years)
As an American I’d bet on myself in a geography contest against any average European. I’ve always took a liking to it, now I’m studying it at university.
@@kiefercourt271 you might be an exception then! 😂
10:20 I am from Australia and I bought a map where Australia was in the centre. They aren't that common but certainly aren't rare where I live.
Oh nice! The whole idea is new to me but it makes sense that any part of the globe can be the centre! 😃
Arendal is a real city in Norway, the inspiration for Arendelle in Frozen :)
Loved this! The “do mountains last forever” got me kinda emotional haha!
Me too! Why would that be considered a stupid question?? A++!
A lot of US states have things called “enhanced driver’s licenses” which allow travel from the US to Canada and Mexico with just a driver’s license (no passport required), which might cause some confusion. Still goofy to have to ask if it’s “international travel” lol. I bet a lot of these questions were asked by Americans and I apologize for my country’s inadequate education system (especially when it comes to anywhere but the US!)
Also, while it’s way closer to the US in size than many may know, Brazil is actually around 500,000 square miles short of the US in terms of landmass!
America is frickin huuuuuge 😳😅
Thanks, had a good chuckle from some of these 😁. My parents also bought me a globe when I was a kid, it actually helped me learn to read because I would spend a long time looking at the place names.
I am Australian. Can confirm new Zealand isn't real :p
Thank you for confirming our suspicions 😂
16:00 there is also a town called arandel near me in the south of england, near brighton. Theyve even got their own castle too
Really?!
@@WelshASMR82Maps i was really suprised you didnt know it😅i always thought that was what the inspiration was
4:00 the 2d map enlarges land away from the equator in both directions, while land closer to it appear relatively smaller. It's not a north/south bias
Absolutely phenomenal stuff! Your tone is very soothing and I am impressed with your knowledge of geography. Sky is the limit for you!
Very kind, thank you!
It's so nice to find out that I'm not the only Google Maps freak 😂. Google Maps is literally my best friend and I'm always checking all sorts of things haha. How do people even come up with these questions? It's very creative and scary at the same time.
I could spend hours on Google Maps to be fair!
@@WelshASMR82Maps I know right? Me too! Also when I'm laying in bed and all of the sudden a random thought crossing my mind, I just need to check it 😂. It's almost addictive.
About the continent Australia, here in brazil its called Oceania. When i started learning english and saw that, I got a little bit confused too
Definitely 😅
Uh, just a little correction here. Oceania consists of 14 UN countries. It does include Australia as you say, but also countries such as New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and the Cook Islands. There are also dependencies such as New Caledonia and American Samoa.
@guitartrumpetflute Oceania is Australia continent. It's just called something different. There is only 1 continent there its just named differently in different countries.
I love the fact that most people don't know what the 7 continents are still. I know some countries still use Oceania rather than Australia as a continent
My only explanation for "what country am I in" is people curious whether google knows where they are.
The first question about what country am I in is almost certainly related to VPNs. It’s a quick way to check if your browser actually is connected to the region you were hoping for
The First question, is a way to check if your VPN connection is working. If you set yourself as appearing in another country to browse sites, you can check it is working by asking Google what country it thinks you are in.
Ooooh nice! Never thought of that!
Could the people asking "What country am I in?"be testing Google" to see if it has the ability to locate them? Maybe they have a VPN and want to see if Google will respond by telling them they're in the country they've designated?
17:49 Spanish pigeons 😂❤
😅
33:44 - "Comunidades autónomas" the provinces is what autonomous comunitites are divid into. Very close
Thanks!
24:18 did the article just refer to Tasmania seperate from Australia?
Gotta call you out on something you got wrong. Although not by much the country of Brazil is smaller than the U.S.
Also the geographic center of North America is in North Dakota within 100 miles of canada. The center of the U.S. is in Kansas though.
One thing ill add, i think part of what doesnt help us Americans with geography is not only do we have only 2 land borders, plus we are enourmous. The vast majority of Americans never travel probably more than 100 miles away from where they grew up.
Yes, I sympathise. In Europe, you travel an hour and you can go through two countries in that time. It's funny for us because we are so used to hearing foreign languages and seeing other countries. A weekend trip to us would be in Paris or Rome. We are really lucky
Gareth, thank you very much for this very interesting video 😊
28:00 that's why it's mars 1 africa 0 in terms of water
Meget hyggelig video :)
Tak!
El Alamein was a huge battle in Egypt during ww2
One thing you can't tell about the person asking questions of Google is their age.
It's ridiculous for me as a Russian that so many Americans don't know geography. We learn about continents, countries and planet Earth itself from 5th to 11th class (we have 11 classes)
Americans are not as bad at geography as people like to think. It's a stereotype. You'll find people ignorant of geography in any country.
Technically, "third world" just means a country was neutral during the Cold War. Capitalist countries allied with the U.S. were the first world. Communist countries allied with Russia were the second world. And everyone else was the third world. But I doubt the Googler knew that.
It's interesting that you keep going back to the point of Americans having two 'neighbours' being the reason for their general lack of knowledge when it comes to geography. I live in Australia, we share no borders with anyone and I think in general, our geography is pretty good. It's all down to the education system.
I’m from New Zealand, how did u find it when?
Omg, I fell in love with NZ. Such a beautiful place and the people were the nicest. Everywhere you go has the most wonderful view!
Australia can fit into Brazil.
Yes, because Brazil is enormous 😅
Talking Global presidency I think there is one already
Well... One country *thinks* it's in charge! 🤣
@@WelshASMR82Maps if you’re genuine about it then we have so much in common
Wild how Americans pay for their education and still don’t learn a whole lot😂
13:30 That is a really NOT American thing to ask. In fact, it's completely illogical to think an actual American asked that. We know what country we're in. Our geographical knowledge isn't THAT bad. 🤨
16:42 It's still a stupid question, but Brazil is *smaller* than the US, not larger.
Honestly, the assumption that people aren't that stupid is the worst assumption. I taught a kid once (in Wales) who thought the Eiffel Tower was in Cardiff. People can be stupid!