Their rationale is that is what they have always learned. Are schools teaching this?
2007-05-03 11:39:39 · 9 answers · asked by Brad 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I think it's because people know they need to add Alaska and Hawaii so they just add 2 to the 50 states not realizing they are counting those two states twice
2007-05-03 11:50:24 · answer #1 · answered by goldenbrowngod 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As far as I know the schools in the US does not teach 52 states in the union as part of their regular or approved curriculum.
Two possibilitie:
(1) There are 50 states in the United States, but 2 of which: Alaska and Hawaii are not part of the contiguous continental states, so some folks may be confused to think that it's 50 + Hawaii and Alaska. e.g. you will find that many websites with shipping options do not include Hawaii and Alaska or have separate charges.
(2) Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are sometimes considered the additional "states" to the US. If you look at Miss Universe Pageants and some other contests, also include DC or PR with additional representation.
2007-05-03 11:51:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only reason a person would think that if they did not know the difference between territories and states the U.S. has many territories and occupies places all over the world but I heard that sometimes people count Guam and Puerto Rico as states even though it is wrong.
2007-05-03 11:49:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a simple case of confusing the number of states with the number of playing cards in a deck: 52. Somehow, 52 just sticks in peoples' heads.
2007-05-03 12:53:22 · answer #4 · answered by pachl@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL I have met some canadians who think the US is made of 2 states New York and California!
My kids are not being told this theory however.
2007-05-03 11:43:46 · answer #5 · answered by Makemeaspark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people may think Puerto Rico, since it is sometimes referred to as the 51st State. And Israel, since we send them so much money.
2007-05-03 11:49:04 · answer #6 · answered by treffler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The USA has some of the worst schools in the wourld so it doesnt suprise me that some people think that. My kids on the other hand think and know there are 50.
2007-05-03 11:48:04 · answer #7 · answered by shiverz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ignorance.
2007-05-03 11:50:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I really don't care how many there are. They're all part of the same country invading nation.
2007-05-03 11:47:10 · answer #9 · answered by Bobbo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋