Why are Americans so bad a geography?

[AviatorTom]

When I was in elementary and high school, we were taught to recognize places on a world map. My friends and I (similar ages) can easily locate most countries on a world map or globe.

Tests and studies have shown that a large percentage of Americans cannot even locate the United States (their country) on a world map, let alone other countries.

Why do you think that is? Do schools no longer teach geography? Is it too easy to use a web browser so people don't care to learn geography? Something else?

[DizzyDesii]

I sure as heck suck at it. Forgot certain states existed. I don't know why but the south central states, south east coast states, and Cali are the only areas i recall. I couldnt tell you half the states in the midwest, west or north if you gave me a map to label

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of an American not being to find America on the map, nor have I ever met one. So I'd question the accuracy of any test or study that made that claim. However, it is true that world geography is not something most Americans are great at.

The reason for that is because of the American mentality that nothing outside of America matters.