I'm sure they do take geography into account, and send orders out in batches to regional sorting hubs, probably starting with the most distant. After following many iPhone/iPad/iMac/MacBook pre-orders (and the Apple Watch pre-order) on MacRumors, I don't think anyone has figured out their 'system' (assuming there is one).
As discussed earlier in this thread, Apple UK use Syncreon for their logistics, and their main distribution centre is at Hinckley in Leicestershire. This is less than an hour's drive from me, so although my 32GB ATV when to PFD at about 10:45, it probably won't dispatch until later this evening.