“Some people have suggested the world is getting smaller, but the majority overestimate its size ten-fold, according to new research.
“A survey of 2,000 adults found the average estimate for the distance around the equator was more than 300,000 miles, when it is actually 25,000.
“The public also appears to overestimate the extent of scientific knowledge, according to the poll. One in five thought further scientific fieldwork was unnecessary and half believed exploration was more commonly linked to television documentaries than new discoveries.
“The research, commissioned by ESRI (UK), a provider of geographic information systems technology, suggested fewer people were inspired by tales of classic explorers.”