When Americans Try To Place European Countries On A Map

By All That's Interesting | Edited By Savannah Cox

Published December 3, 2013

Updated September 1, 2017

Despite the fact that the United States has spent over a decade in Afghanistan and Iraq, a 2006 National Geographic study reveals that a depressing majority of Americans from the ages 18 to 24 were unable to find either country on a map. And as the following maps suggest, our knowledge of European geography is equally dismal.

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.