Most US states are the size of EU countries. We don’t know the “states” of EU countries because those are like counties in our states, and most people barely know all of their own state’s counties because there are too many.
I.e. Florida, the third most populous US state (21M), is about half the size of the whole of Germany.
But Germany’s most populous state (North Rhine - Westphalia / NRW) has a pop of 18M.
It’s waaaaay smaller, but the n of inhabitants is comparable.
To the point: I don’t think , it’s necessary to know the names of foreign states. But it’s good to know roughly what’s going on in the world. It is no secret, that US Americans are exceptionally caught in their own bubble.
Most euros have no goddamn idea just how huge the US actually is.
Q: Why don’t Americans travel abroad?
A: That’s a 12+ hour flight I can’t afford to go somewhere I don’t speak the language. I barely live paycheck to paycheck if I’m lucky.
Q: Why don’t Americans speak other languages?
A: I can drive for up to and over 1,000 miles in almost any direction and everybody still speaks English. The exception is most of Mexico. And some of Quebec, but that’s because some of them are just assholes.
Q: Is America really that big?
A: All of Europe could fit inside the continental 48 states alone, with room left over for desert. We have literally every biome here, more vacation options than you could fit into a human lifetime of just visiting them all, and we import all the best stuff from everywhere else. There’s no practical reason to leave the country, and we don’t have to mess with border crossings in-country. Until recent years we didn’t need passports at all, in country. Now the TSA demands them (or the Real ID equivalent) for some security theater political bullshit reason, but that’s flying domestically only.
And some of Quebec, but that’s because some of them are just assholes.
It’s not just some of Québec that speaks french, it’s most of it. Our only official language is french. Sorry if it inconveniences you that other countries have their own culture.
All of Europe can actually fit inside of Texas. Three times, even. Little known fact. You can even also fit Russia there, although there might be a little bit sticking out.
Several Texas people told me this, so it might be true.
The continuous US states are 8,080,460 square kilometres.
Europe is 10,186,000 square kilometres.
I am not sure if maths has reached north america yet, but saying that “Europe can fit in the continuous us states with room to spare” does not increase the percieved intelligence of the average american.
Europe is actually bigger than the entirety of the US, including alaska and overseas territories, but who cares about facts, right? If you can manufacture ridiculous reasons to feel better than others, who needs them?
Most US states are the size of EU countries. We don’t know the “states” of EU countries because those are like counties in our states, and most people barely know all of their own state’s counties because there are too many.
Empty landmass isn’t the only important thing.
I.e. Florida, the third most populous US state (21M), is about half the size of the whole of Germany.
But Germany’s most populous state (North Rhine - Westphalia / NRW) has a pop of 18M.
It’s waaaaay smaller, but the n of inhabitants is comparable.
To the point: I don’t think , it’s necessary to know the names of foreign states. But it’s good to know roughly what’s going on in the world. It is no secret, that US Americans are exceptionally caught in their own bubble.
Or, for another perspective: In terms of population, Ohio and Belgium are pretty much equal, but in terms of area, the former is 4x as large.
Yes, countries are generally too big.
Most euros have no goddamn idea just how huge the US actually is.
Q: Why don’t Americans travel abroad? A: That’s a 12+ hour flight I can’t afford to go somewhere I don’t speak the language. I barely live paycheck to paycheck if I’m lucky.
Q: Why don’t Americans speak other languages? A: I can drive for up to and over 1,000 miles in almost any direction and everybody still speaks English. The exception is most of Mexico. And some of Quebec, but that’s because some of them are just assholes.
Q: Is America really that big? A: All of Europe could fit inside the continental 48 states alone, with room left over for desert. We have literally every biome here, more vacation options than you could fit into a human lifetime of just visiting them all, and we import all the best stuff from everywhere else. There’s no practical reason to leave the country, and we don’t have to mess with border crossings in-country. Until recent years we didn’t need passports at all, in country. Now the TSA demands them (or the Real ID equivalent) for some security theater political bullshit reason, but that’s flying domestically only.
Calling people who don’t speak English assholes, and then whining about being labeled close-minded.
We do, because Americans never stop bleating on about it.
And you still don’t get it.
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Baaaa.
It’s not just some of Québec that speaks french, it’s most of it. Our only official language is french. Sorry if it inconveniences you that other countries have their own culture.
Americans just don’t have enough vacation days; Europeans might be able to manage it.
We have vacation days?
I think they are talking about the four unpaid sick days some people choose to use for vacation. /S
“all of Europe could fit inside the 48 continental states alone” - are you sure about that, fam?
Maybe if you had a clue about what is going on outside of your country you would want to leave it, but alas, you don’t.
All of Europe can actually fit inside of Texas. Three times, even. Little known fact. You can even also fit Russia there, although there might be a little bit sticking out.
Several Texas people told me this, so it might be true.
Not far off.
The continuous US states are 8,080,460 square kilometres.
Europe is 10,186,000 square kilometres.
I am not sure if maths has reached north america yet, but saying that “Europe can fit in the continuous us states with room to spare” does not increase the percieved intelligence of the average american.
Europe is actually bigger than the entirety of the US, including alaska and overseas territories, but who cares about facts, right? If you can manufacture ridiculous reasons to feel better than others, who needs them?
In what world is that “not far off”?
Given that Australia (7,688,287 square km) became part of Europe in 2015, yes, pretty damned far off.
Yeah, if you exclude all the bits that don’t fit, everything else fit
Canada "Hold my beer, eh."