Why do Americans don't know where Wales is?

Question

Wales is a small nation on the western coast of the British Isles.
It is well known for the story of King Arthur and he is buried in Bridgend.

Answer 1

This American knows where Wales is, but many do not. Geography is not one of our strong points as a whole, and most Americans never get to leave the country. I would think that most know where the British Isles are, and many are aware of the existence of Wales, but our education system tends to focus more on US geography than world geography. To be fair, Wales is roughly the size (a little smaller actually) than Vermont. Vermont is smaller than all but 5 U.S. states.

After actually looking it up, only Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island are smaller than Wales. I know a lot of Americans who don't know where these states are, and simply lump them in as "those little northeast states."

To those of you who seem to think Americans don't leave the country because they are not interested in the rest of the world, here is something to chew on. Americans get 10 days of vacation per year. The average european gets more like 20-30. When you consider that visiting your folks takes 2-3 days, that leaves you less than a week per year to travel abroad.

If you live in the U.K., you can take an EZ jet or Ryan air flight to another European country for less than 50 quid. I can't even get from Houston to Dallas for that little money. If you drive or take a train, in a few hours, you can visit several different countries and cultures. I can drive in a straight line for 750 miles and still be in the same state. I have travelled abroad, and I hope to continue to do so, but it is much more difficult for us to do.

Sure, there are plently of USAcentric people out there who think they don't need to see the world, but if you really analyze it, the case is probably more often that they cannot go see the world, so why beat yourself up about it.

Answer 2

Oh come on!

I'm Welsh but we don't know where King Arthur is buried or if he ever lived! How can you say he's "buried in Brigend"?!?!

I grew up in Newport and people used to say that Caerleon had been Arthur's court!

I beleive Arthur was a mythological dark age British hero (I named my son after him) but to say that he definitely lived in this or that part of the UK is just stupid! We don't even know if he ever existed or not!!! And we also can't say he was "Welsh" - In those days, before the coming of the Anglo Saxons, everyone in what its today England and Wales was a Celtic Briton!

As for Americans not knowing where Wales is, I'm used to that, the ones who do know where it is are the ones who jump on the "Celtic" bandwagon because they saw a film about it and go on about how we should join with the Irish and Scots to beat the English or some such crap.

Answer 3

I think that's a huge generalisation. I'm sure the majority of Americans know where Wales is. A number of American places have Welsh names because there was a great deal of immigration from Wales to America. Besides, there are plenty of ignorant people right here in the UK. I was once asked by an English school child if they needed a passport to get to Wales.

By the way, whilst King Arthur is a story that has its roots in Welsh mythology, I doubt that most people would associate him with Wales. What makes you think he is buried in Bridgend? You could make a fortune if you are right. There is a lot more to Welsh culture - our ancient language, mythology, poetry, love of song and brave historical warriors.

Are you Welsh? I doubt it based on your summary of my country. I kind of hope not, based on your grammar.

To all those sad, hate-filled people who have used this question as an excuse to have a cheap shot at my glorious country - Ti'n llawn cachu!

Answer 4

a Why do some people think all Americans don't know where Wales is? But thank you for pointing it out to the person, probably an immigrant from a third world country whose second language is Spanish and third language will be English and was taught by a first year barely experienced non bi-lingual teacher who thinks "Wales" are mammals and is teaching 5th grade geography to seniors, ( breathe here.) Oh, never mind. I see you didn't ask the question with proper structure anyway.

Answer 5

Come on USA, you must be aware of the birthplace of Tom Jones, Richard Burton, and male voice choirs! Wales is the size of a USA town with beautiful, mountainous countryside and with a language of its own. Yes, indeed.
Some claim that King Arthur is buried in Cornwall, but that's mythology for you.
As to where Wales is....left of England and right of Eire

Goodbye chan Cymru a Hawddamor!

Answer 6

I live on the Isle of Man and many people in England do not know where that is or think that it is the Isle of Wight, unlike them we are a self governing UK dependancy, so although technically not a country but we do have the power to make our own laws, unlike Wales who only have a devolved Government which can be withdrawn by Westminster at any time as happened in NI. Come on PLAID CYMRU!!! Also many Americans do not leave that country and it is a low percentage who have a passport, to highlight this when Carlotte Church met Bush he asked her what state Wales was in lol. I couldn't believe that when I heard it as my mate told me but I saw her interview with Parkinson and she said it herself. Do you think they could locate Grimsby lol. I could find Vermont and other states on the map as unlike many people in the USA I feel a need to leave mine occasionally and experience other cultures, and we learn about things that don't just affect us directly. Isn't it arrogant how the world series is called the WORLD series are there any teams participating which do not come from the usa.

Answer 7

I am not sure if you are American. I had not heard that King Arthur had anything to do with Wales. Is this something you Americans have found out?

Answer 8

Americans (citizens of the USA) don't know where anything is. It took them a long time to find New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck. I remember during the attack on Serbia being really worried for Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania when CNN showed a map of the Balkans, which was, in fact the Baltic!
So why would they be expected to know where Wales is?

Answer 9

I know where it is and I am american. The story of Arthur did not solely take place in Wales, and many people dispute where he is buried if he existed at all. Most believe if he lived, he lived in Canterbury.

Answer 10

I am an American and I know where Wales is. I have known for a very long time. Assuming all Americans are ignorant of this fact is proof if your ignorance.