This paper summarises the results of a suvey of the level of recognition of European countries by university level students in Ireland and Zimbabwe. While Irish students have a significantly higher level of recognition there are a number of common features between the results of both surveys. Countries with distinctive shapes, large size and/or coastal locations are best recognised. Also the member state"s of the European Community are generally better known than members of other regional groupings. There is also a high degree of confusion amongst both student samples in relation to members of groupings that are frequently identified by historical/regional labels such as Scandinavia or the Balkan states.