It wouldn't take a lot of Geography in school to give a basic perspective of locations around the globe. It's not like we had to dwell on minutae for weeks. It just needs to slipped into almost every part of other studies.

Geeez! I knew DETAILS by the 6th grade! I can still draw a passable map of the USA from memory. I can't do that with the middle east, but I sure have perspective that seems to escape a lot of people...(ever watch Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" routine, where he quizzes folks on easy knowlege?.....I shudder when I see it)