One in five British children can't find UK on world map

One in five British children cannot find the UK on a map of the world, new research shows today.

The study also showed that one in 10 children were not able to name a single continent and more than 20,000 children in London failed to know they lived in England's capital city.

National Geographic Kids magazine questioned more than 1,000 six to 14-year-olds to mark its UK launch but highlighted concerning gaps in children's geographical knowledge.

It showed that boys have slightly better geographical skills than girls, with 65% being able to locate a number of countries around the world compared with 63% of girls.

Less than two thirds of children (60%) were able to locate the UK's closest ally, the United States, and despite dominating news headlines in recent years, 86% failed to identify Iraq.

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, described the findings as "rather frightening".

He said: "These results underline the need for education to concentrate on the essentials.

"How are children going to be able to get as much out of their life if they fail to have an understanding of the shape of the world?"

Environmentalist David Bellamy said: "People say that the world is getting smaller, but for children it's still very much an undiscovered place with many of them not being able to recognise their own country on a world map.

"Making geography fun and exciting is so important because it makes children aware of the importance of caring for the environment and, by learning about the world, it helps bring other people's worlds and cultures closer to their own."

Scottish children were regarded as the most geographically aware with 67% being able to identify the most countries, out of England, the US, France, China and Iraq on a world map.

On a local level, more Scots youngsters (98%) were able to name London as England's capital city than English children (97%).

Children from the East Midlands were the least knowledgeable with only 61% able to identify the named countries, closely followed by London children (63%).

A Department for Education and Skills spokesman said: "Geography is a compulsory part of the National Curriculum for all children between the ages of five to 14.

"That means all pupils should develop an understanding of where places are.

"All 14-year-olds should be taught to use atlases and globes, and maps and plans at a range of scales, including Ordnance Survey maps.

"Pupils are also required to learn about the location of places and environments they study, places and environments in the news and other significant places and environments in the world (for example, the location of the largest world cities, longest rivers, largest mountain ranges etc.) "

Chris Keates, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, called the magazine's findings "nonsense".

She said: "The constant desire for groups to produce statistics to do down the English education system is quite appalling and does nothing to recognise the excellent work of children and staff."

Elsewhere, the research showed children to be worried about the environmental state of the planet.

A total of 87% of children say they recycle, 63% conserve water by turning off the tap when brushing their teeth and 63% save energy by switching off lights, TVs and computers.

A third of children (27%) ask their parents to use their car less and 93% avoid dropping litter.

Lauren Jarvis, editor of National Geographic Kids, said: "It's good to see so many young eco-warriors are already concerned about animals becoming extinct and consciously choose to recycle and save energy by turning off their TVs and computers."

Copyright Press Association 2006