Area vs. Locality — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 25, 2024
Area refers to a region or section of space, measurable in terms of dimensions, while locality denotes a neighborhood or a specific part of a larger area, often defined by social or administrative boundaries.
Difference Between Area and Locality
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Area is a term used to describe a physical extent or section of space, which can be measured in square units. Locality, on the other hand, refers to a specific part of a city or town, defined more by its neighborhood characteristics or administrative importance.
The concept of area is primarily quantitative, focusing on the size or extent of a region. Whereas locality is qualitative, emphasizing attributes like the type of neighborhood, cultural significance, or community identity.
Area can be used in various contexts, including mathematics, geography, and real estate, to denote the scope or coverage of a space. Locality, however, is more commonly used in discussions about residential, commercial, or cultural segments of a city or region.
When talking about jurisdiction or administrative control, 'area' can encompass regions as large as countries or as small as districts. Locality, on the other hand, usually denotes smaller, more specific parts of a city or town, such as districts or neighborhoods.
In everyday usage, 'area' can imply a broader and more general space, like a desert area or a recreational area, which does not necessarily carry specific boundaries. Locality is typically more precise, often highlighting a known or populated neighborhood or part of a city.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Measure of a region or section of space.
Specific neighborhood or part of a larger area.
Context
Mathematics, geography, real estate.
Residential, commercial, cultural settings.
Scale
Can vary from very large to small.
Usually smaller, more precise.
Quantitative/Qualitative
Quantitative (size, dimensions).
Qualitative (characteristics, identity).
Common Usage
Broader, more general applications.
Specific to known neighborhoods or city parts.
Compare with Definitions
Area
A subject or range of activity.
Her areas of expertise include music and art.
Locality
A neighborhood or part of a larger administrative area.
The locality is known for its historic architecture.
Area
A section of land within a larger territory.
The forest covers a vast area of the valley.
Locality
A segment of a community with distinct characteristics.
This locality is popular due to its excellent schools.
Area
The extent or measurement of a surface.
Calculate the area of the triangle using its base and height.
Locality
The condition or character of a specific place.
The locality was bustling with the morning crowd.
Area
A division within a larger context.
The dining area is separate from the kitchen.
Locality
A geographic area defined for administrative purposes.
The postal code is specific to each locality.
Area
A zone designated for a specific purpose.
The picnic area is reserved for visitors on weekends.
Locality
A site or position within a broader region.
Several species unique to this locality have been documented.
Area
Area is the quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional region, shape, or planar lamina, in the plane. Surface area is its analog on the two-dimensional surface of a three-dimensional object.
Locality
A particular neighborhood, place, or district
"Localities, even individual villages, developed their own languages" (Wall Street Journal).
Area
A roughly bounded part of the space on a surface; a region:a farming area; the New York area.
Locality
The fact or quality of having position in space.
Area
A surface, especially an open, unoccupied piece of ground:a landing area; a playing area.
Locality
The fact or quality of having a position in space.
Area
A distinct part or section, as of a building, set aside for a specific function:a storage area in the basement.
Locality
The features or surroundings of a particular place.
Area
A division of experience, activity, or knowledge; a field:studies in the area of finance; a job in the health-care area.
Locality
The condition of being local.
Area
An open, sunken space next to a building; an areaway.
Locality
The situation or position of an object.
Area
Abbr. AThe extent of a planar region or of the surface of a solid measured in square units.
Locality
An area or district considered as the site of certain activities; a neighbourhood.
Area
(mathematics) A measure of the extent of a surface; it is measured in square units.
Locality
Limitation to a county, district, or place.
Area
A particular geographic region.
Locality
(geography) A built-up area, i.e. a city, town or village
Area
Any particular extent of surface, especially an empty or unused extent.
The photo is a little dark in that area.
Locality
The perceptive faculty concerned with the ability to remember the relative positions of places.
Area
The extent, scope, or range of an object or concept.
The plans are a bit vague in that area.
Locality
The state, or condition, of belonging to a definite place, or of being contained within definite limits.
It is thought that the soul and angels are devoid of quantityand dimension, and that they have nothing to do with grosser locality.
Area
(British) An open space, below ground level, giving access to the basement of a house, and typically separated from the pavement by railings.
Locality
Position; situation; a place; a spot; esp., a geographical place or situation, as of a mineral or plant.
Area
(soccer) Penalty box; penalty area.
Locality
Limitation to a county, district, or place; as, locality of trial.
Area
(slang) Genitals.
Locality
The perceptive faculty concerned with the ability to remember the relative positions of places.
Area
Any plane surface, as of the floor of a room or church, or of the ground within an inclosure; an open space in a building.
The Alban lake . . . looks like the area of some vast amphitheater.
Locality
A surrounding or nearby region;
The plane crashed in the vicinity of Asheville
It is a rugged locality
He always blames someone else in the immediate neighborhood
I will drop in on you the next time I am in this neck of the woods
Area
The inclosed space on which a building stands.
Area
The sunken space or court, giving ingress and affording light to the basement of a building.
Area
An extent of surface; a tract of the earth's surface; a region; as, vast uncultivated areas.
Area
The superficial contents of any figure; the surface included within any given lines; superficial extent; as, the area of a square or a triangle.
Area
A spot or small marked space; as, the germinative area.
Area
Extent; scope; range; as, a wide area of thought.
The largest area of human history and man's common nature.
Area
A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography);
It was a mountainous area
Bible country
Area
A particular environment or walk of life;
His social sphere is limited
It was a closed area of employment
He's out of my orbit
Area
A subject of study;
It was his area of specialization
Areas of interest include...
Area
A part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function;
The spacious cooking area provided plenty of room for servants
Area
A part of an animal that has a special function or is supplied by a given artery or nerve;
In the abdominal region
Area
The extent of a 2-dimensional surface enclosed within a boundary;
The area of a rectangle
It was about 500 square feet in area
Common Curiosities
How do government agencies differentiate between area and locality?
Government agencies may use "area" to delineate regions of administrative responsibility or geographic features, while "locality" often refers to populated neighborhoods or towns with administrative recognition.
How do real estate professionals use the terms area and locality?
Real estate professionals use "area" to refer to both large and small sections, often in terms of property coverage. "Locality" is used to denote specific neighborhoods or parts known for their distinct features.
Can the term area be used in science?
Yes, in science, "area" is often used to discuss dimensions of surfaces or sections within a larger space, like in physics or biology.
Do area and locality have legal implications?
Yes, both terms can have legal implications in terms of jurisdiction, zoning laws, and administrative guidelines, affecting how regions and neighborhoods are managed and governed.
Is area always larger than locality?
Not necessarily. While "area" can denote a larger region, it can also refer to smaller sections within a locality depending on the context.
Why might someone study the area and locality of a region?
Studying both can provide insights into geographic, economic, and cultural aspects, which are essential for planning, development, and research purposes.
What impact does locality have on property values?
Property values can be significantly impacted by locality, as the desirability of specific neighborhoods influences demand and pricing.
Can a city be considered a locality?
Yes, a city can be considered a locality, especially when discussing its specific characteristics or comparing different parts of the city.
What is the significance of locality in cultural contexts?
In cultural contexts, locality is significant as it reflects the socio-economic and cultural characteristics of a neighborhood, influencing everything from dialects to lifestyle.
What role does locality play in marketing?
In marketing, locality is crucial for targeting campaigns to specific demographics or geographic profiles, tailoring messages to the unique characteristics of neighborhoods.
How does the use of area and locality affect urban planning?
Urban planners use "area" to designate zones for development and "locality" to address specific community needs, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and infrastructure development.
How do educational institutions use the terms area and locality?
Educational institutions might refer to "area" in terms of coverage for services or facilities, whereas "locality" could be used to describe the immediate community surrounding a school or college.
How do demographics differ between area and locality?
Demographics might be broadly generalized when discussing an area, whereas locality-specific demographics provide detailed insights into the population characteristics of a specific neighborhood.
Are there any common misconceptions about area and locality?
A common misconception is that area only refers to large spaces and locality only to small neighborhoods, but both terms can apply variably depending on context.
What is the importance of understanding area and locality in environmental studies?
In environmental studies, understanding the area helps in assessing ecological footprints, while locality provides specific data on environmental conditions and impacts at a more micro level.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
