2006 National Geographic survey: 94% of young adults can find the US on a map

[Bucky]

This is the study that we were talking about in a different thread here: here (long boring PDF file).

On page 26 it shows that 94% of 18-24 year olds could find the US on a map.

On page 28 it shows improved scores at finding US states compared to a 1988 study of geography and map reading skills.



Facts: use 'em or lose 'em.

[Seedersandleechers]

1. Thank you for this

I would/could not believe that only 18% of high schoolers could find the US on a world map.

[Javaman]

2. Who is the 6%?

:scared:

[rateyes]

3. Children of Republicans. nt

[Bucky]

4. Probably nonvoters.

Seriously, grab 14 people at random off the street. If you only get one motard out of that sampling, you got lucky.

[On the Road]

5. People Who Just Don't Process Geographical Images at All

[Junkdrawer]

6. The "Your fellow citizens are morons" KoolAid is just that...

Goes with "Most of your fellow citizens believe RW propaganda."

It's meant to keep down grassroots organization.

[wtmusic]

7. Almost 1/3 of Bush supporters can find the US on a map!

We're making progress.

[theoldman]

8. I am sure that the National Geographic survey included a lot

of readers of their magazine. This would result in a high number. I would rather believe Jay Leno who would come up with a very low number.

[slampoet]

9. Jay Leno manipulates his results and only includes the stupid replies.

If you don't know that maybe you shouldn't criticize then people who can't read maps.

[Bucky]

10. No, the survey did not try to oversample their readership.

It was a statistically representative sampling, according to the report. They were studying the country, not their own readers.

[Indenturedebtor]

11. Thanks for finding this. I didn't believe that survey about 18% n/t

[krispos42]

12. Well, we are the fourth-largest country in the world...

and immediately south of the third-largest country in the world.

I'd be really impressed if 94% of Americans could find Andorra on a map! :-)

[Bucky]

13. Population wise or in square mileage?

Sorry, but "square kilometrage" just doesn't sound right.

I'd be impressed if 94% of map makers could find Andorra on a map.

[krispos42]

14. Area

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_area

We're 3rd by population, which I wan't aware of!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population

[underpants]

15. ...like such as South Africa, and, uh the Iraq everywhere like, such as and....

[Bucky]

16. I guess it's not a good idea to base our knowledge of American education by beauty contest questions

Are you sure that isn't a quote from Dana Perino?

[underpants]

17. No but this IS from former Homeland Sec. spokesperson Francis Townsend

HENRY: You know, going back to September 2001, the president said, dead or alive, we're going to get him. Still don't have him. I know you are saying there's successes on the war on terror, and there have been. That's a failure.

TOWNSEND: Well, I'm not sure -- it's a success that hasn't occurred yet. I don't know that I view that as a failure.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/12/29/112949/44