Of 18- to 24-year-olds polled, 87 percent could not locate Iraq on a map, according to a survey by the National Geographic Society. Should President George W. Bush decide to wage war on Iraq, the age range polled would be the most likely candidates to fight.

Of the Penn State students the Daily Collegian polled, some were appalled that students couldn't find the country, while others doubted themselves.

Most Penn State students surveyed by The Daily Collegian overestimated the percentage of their peers that could locate Iraq. Guesses ranged from 8 percent to 85 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds would be able to locate Iraq. The most popular suggestion was 75 percent. Only half of the 20 people interviewed could find Iraq on a world map.

According to the national poll of at least 300 people, only 13 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds could locate Iraq on a map. Penn State students are concerned about the low statistic.

"It's sad with all the conflict; people should be more aware," Sarah Panqia (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said.

Patrick Clary (sophomore-international policy) said Iraq is important in foreign policy right now and the poll shows how apathetic the country is.

Some students were suprised the low number of 18- to 24-year-olds who could locate Iraq on a map.

"I didn't expect it. I studied it a lot in high school," Yonit Ibrahimian (freshman-crime, law and justice) said. "I was shocked."

Miranda Jensen (junior-kinesiology) said people should be more aware of what is going on in the news.

"Everyone talks about Iraq. It's been in the news forever," Sameer Safaya (junior-earth science) said. "I know overseas geography is stressed more [than it is stressed in America]."

The Iraqi-American relationship is not a new issue on a global level.

"Yeah, it's been a country dealing with world issues for a long time, and we, as in the future American leaders, should know about [the issues]," April Haas (sophomore-telecommunications) said.

Joel Schock (junior-landscape contracting) said he thought his peers should be able to locate countries in conflict with the U.S.

Many students had their own ideas about why the statistic is so low.

"People are more concerned about their own issues, not global issues," Scott Kubisiak (junior-geography) said. "People are more concerned with their everyday thing."

Poor education in elementary and high schools around the country may be to blame.

However, this geographical misunderstanding may not be the person's fault.

"Not everyone has the proper education. People from different backgrounds are not in control of what they know," Kubisiak said. "With proper education they'll be taught where things are."

Colleen Felton (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) also said education was at the root of the ignorance. She said high schools do not require much geography knowledge. The focus in high school is on extracurriculars and not on basics like reading, writing, arithmetic and geography, she said.

Aside from lack of education, Penn State students said apathy is to blame for the lack of geographical knowledge.

"Miseducation and people just don't care," Schock said about why some can't point out Iraq on a map.

Jensen said people in the 18- to 24-year-old age range are not interested in current events and don't pay attention to the news or take the time to look at a map because of a lack of interest.

Some students said apathy might be due to the self-absorbed nature of college students.

"People are more interested in dressing up, finding an outfit to wear out," Kristin Rink (sophomore-psychology) said.