AS the world's highest mountain peak, Mount Everest, is an impressive global landmark. But clearly not impressive enough for the majority of Britons, it seems.

One in three thought it was in the Alps - and some even thought it was in the UK, according to a new survey.

Research to coincide with Geography Awareness Week, found widespread ignorance of many major geographical facts.

World's longest river?

Half of people questioned failed to name the Nile as the world's longest river, which is the widely held view among geographers.

Local knowledge fared little better than global awareness. Half of Britons questioned had not visited their local river or countryside pub in the past month, while a third had never visited their local picnic spot.

Beauty spots were simply blank spots for the majority of people who were more likely to visit their local DIY superstore than a local beauty spot.

The National Association of Head Teachers said it feared standards in geography were slipping because people felt they no longer needed to know the facts as they could just look them up on the internet.

Head of education Martin Johnson said: "I realised just how far things had slipped when I tried to book a flight to Munich and the young travel agent asked me what country it was in."

Angela Baker, a community programmes manager at ESRI - a geographical technology firm, said: "It's surprising to think that people still don't still don't know where the world's highest mountain is and DIY superstores are the most frequently visited place out of the urban and outdoor spaces."

We headed out onto the streets of Bournemouth to see if local residents fared any better Rory Brenmore who works in marketing, thought Mount Everest was in South Africa and he also thought that the UK's highest mountain was Mt Snowdon in Wales (it is, of course, Scotland's Ben Nevis).

"My mum's just been there!" he said. "I don't know about the world's longest river though."

He admitted he wasn't great at geography and said he felt people's lack of knowledge was down to the fact that we don't look at maps or atlases so much. "It's because of all the new technology now that we don't bother as much anymore. If I'm travelling anywhere I just download a map online I never bother with a road map."

Caroline Whiteman who works for Bournemouth council, was the first give the correct answer that Mount Everest was in Nepal but she thought the world's longest river was the Amazon.

"I should have known it was the Nile as I've been there so there's no excuse really! It doesn't surprise me that most people don't know the right answers though, I'm afraid. I think it's a reflection of the standard of teaching in schools these days."

Interestingly, the two people who got all the questions right were Chinese students Yang Somg and Thong Pham, who are both on a pre-masters business studies course in Bournemouth.

Pippa Wilson, 23, a hairdresser from Bournemouth thought Mount Everest was in the Andes. "I was always a bit naughty in geography lessons at school; I wish I'd paid more attention now!"

Paul Glover, a school caretaker: said: "Mount Everest - no idea - is it in Wales? I never did like geography!"

His wife Julie added: "No it's definitely not in this country I'm just not sure where. It's always hard when you're put on the spot like this! We know some local beauty spots though - we love visiting the New Forest."