Knowing of geography

[Cimarron]

Thread moved to Sexuality & Mature Topics?

 

[ragashree]

Thread moved to Sexuality & Mature Topics?

Or just the graveyard? *shrugs*

 

[lowtech redneck]

^ but the capitol of Burkina Faso is so fun to SAY!

Ouagadougou

(admittedly, I took the history of Africa)

I have to admit, I don't even remember how to pronounce Ouagadougou-but I'm glad there's another social studies fan who got the reference.

 

[ragashree]

I have to admit, I don't even remember how to pronounce Ouagadougou-but I'm glad there's another social studies fan who got the reference.

'Wa-ga-doo-gu. I would guess.

But I'm sure there will be lots of people who know better, so feel free to correct me if you do

 

[Virtual ghost]

I actually think America is getting a bit of a raw deal in the thread, but I couldn't resist posting this. It's pretty funny.

I agree with you.



What I find interesting is that usually Geography talks come down to countries and capitols. (or economy and military) but there is little about mountain chains, rivers , lakes, vegetation of some specific geological features.

So we end up with pictures that are anthropologic.

Here is a map that is somewhat less so.

Or you can have a map that is clearly outside of interests of average people.
But in a way it is the most correct one.

 

[INTJMom]

I think there is some truth to it. And I think geography is often used as an example for this sort of thing because it's common to everyone.

While admitting that there is some truth here, I do wish to mildly defend my fellow Americans. I think that part of our provincialism (which ignorance of geography springs from) is that our country is so large. A good percentage of Americans don't travel abroad simply because it's quite a distance for some of them. I think having several foreign nations close by raises your awareness of geography and international geopolitics.

That said, we need to do better.

Yeah. Did you know that England is about the size of Wyoming?

 

[bluebell]

Yeah. Did you know that England is about the size of Wyoming?

I think Australia is about the same size as the US. Victoria is about the same size as England. We have no neighbouring countries - New Zealand, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are the closest IIRC.

I don't know how we stack up compared to the US with geography and knowledge of the world. I suspect, on average, we're probably a bit more outwards focused to other countries than the US, partly because of belonging to the Commonwealth and historically having close ties to the UK. Also, cricket.

 

[Geoff]

I understand we view the globe the "wrong way up". Or at least... based upon the tilt of the globe and where it is when it is summer we should rotate our map 180. If you do it looks kinda odd!

It's all a matter of perspective.