Much of the unknown revolves around the cities. These players know about New York, Los Angeles or Dallas but have never heard of Winnipeg, Hamilton or Saskatchewan.
Canada is just a giant frozen wasteland full of non-threatening weird-speaking dog-sled driving hosers that Americans spend 2 seconds a year expending mental energy on. I don't know how many times I've spoken to American visitors who are walking around Kelowna dumb-founded that we have electricity and roads and Burger King franchises, just like them. And that we have periods of time in the year that we aren't shivering under snow banks. And some of these people have been from Spokane.
Whenever there is a "Canada" topic on Jeopardy, it's always the last one chosen. Contestants can answer questions on Greek philosophers, classical music composers and nuclear physics, but stare dumb-founded at the camera if asked what province Toronto is in. Or a name of one prime minister we've ever had. Or what sport is revered in Canada that involves a puck, a net, and ice. Alex's disgusted looks are always classic too.
http://globalnews.ca/news/2033286/watch-jeopardy-contestant-fails-canadian-geography-loses-it-all/