Don't Know Much About Geography

If I've left any doubt, allow me to confirm--geography has never been a strong suit of mine. I know the basic layout of Europe—the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy. I realize that these countries are together in a region about 1/3 the size of the U.S. This became even more real today watching the local weather forecast from Edinburgh to Lisbon, about the equivalent of New York to Miami. What’s been a bigger eye-opener to me is the proximity to Africa and the Eastern Block countries. I just didn’t realize how close they are. It’s not like I couldn’t find them on a map, but I just didn’t have the perspective of proximity. The CNN channel is loaded with tourism ads for Slovakia, Warsaw, even Dubai and China. Frankfurt to Warsaw or Slovakia is about the same distance as Nashville to DC.