Location vs. Area — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
Location refers to a specific point or place where something exists, while area denotes the extent of space that a particular place covers.
Difference Between Location and Area
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Location is often used to specify the precise positioning of something on a map or within a larger environment, such as a city or building. On the other hand, area refers to the measure of a two-dimensional space, expressed in units like square feet or square meters, and can pertain to regions of any size.
Location can be defined by coordinates, addresses, or even descriptive details that pinpoint where something is situated. Whereas area is quantified by its size and boundaries, often requiring measurements and calculations to define the total space involved.
In practical usage, location is crucial for navigation, finding places, and understanding geographic contexts. In contrast, area is essential in fields like real estate, planning, and architecture, where the size and extent of land or spaces are critical.
Location often involves a relational aspect, indicating how one place is situated in relation to another. On the other hand, area can be discussed independently of other elements, focusing solely on the dimensions of the space itself.
The concept of location is integral to various technologies such as GPS for precise navigation and positioning. Area, however, plays a critical role in scientific studies like ecology or agriculture, where the scale of land use is important.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Specific point or place
Extent of space covered
Measurement
Descriptive or by coordinates
Square units (sq ft, sq meters)
Use in Fields
Navigation, geography
Real estate, planning, architecture
Independence
Relational positioning
Can be discussed independently
Related Technologies
GPS, mapping software
Geographical information systems (GIS)
Compare with Definitions
Location
A place or site considered in relation to its environment.
The location's proximity to the highway makes it valuable.
Area
A region or part of a town, country, or the world.
The area affected by the storm needs urgent aid.
Location
A point or position where something exists.
The location of the restaurant is marked on the map.
Area
A space designated for a specific use.
The picnic area is reserved for families on weekends.
Location
A setting used for a particular purpose or event.
They chose a scenic location for their wedding.
Area
The extent or measurement of a surface.
The total area of the floor is 200 square meters.
Location
A place where a film or series is shot.
The movie features stunning locations from around the world.
Area
A subject or range of activity or interest.
She specializes in the area of molecular biology.
Location
A specific area within a larger context.
You can find the coffee machine at this location in the office.
Area
A zone within a building or place.
This area is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Location
In geography, location or place are used to denote a region (point, line, or area) on Earth’s surface or elsewhere. The term location generally implies a higher degree of certainty than place, the latter often indicating an entity with an ambiguous boundary, relying more on human or social attributes of place identity and sense of place than on geometry.
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.
Location
A particular place or position
The property is set in a convenient location
Area
A roughly bounded part of the space on a surface; a region:a farming area; the New York area.
Location
An area where black South Africans were obliged by apartheid laws to live, usually on the outskirts of a town or city. The term was later replaced by township.
Area
A surface, especially an open, unoccupied piece of ground:a landing area; a playing area.
Location
The act or process of locating
Location of the lost hikers took two days.
Area
A distinct part or section, as of a building, set aside for a specific function:a storage area in the basement.
Location
A place where something is or could be located; a site.
Area
A division of experience, activity, or knowledge; a field:studies in the area of finance; a job in the health-care area.
Location
A site away from a studio at which part or all of a movie is shot
Filming a Western on location in the Mexican desert.
Area
An open, sunken space next to a building; an areaway.
Location
A tract of land that has been surveyed and marked off.
Area
Abbr. AThe extent of a planar region or of the surface of a solid measured in square units.
Location
A particular point or place in physical space.
Area
(mathematics) A measure of the extent of a surface; it is measured in square units.
Location
An act of locating.
Area
A particular geographic region.
Location
(South Africa) An apartheid-era urban area populated by non-white people; township.
Area
Any particular extent of surface, especially an empty or unused extent.
The photo is a little dark in that area.
Location
(legal) A leasing on rent.
Area
The extent, scope, or range of an object or concept.
The plans are a bit vague in that area.
Location
A contract for the use of a thing, or service of a person, for hire.
Area
(British) An open space, below ground level, giving access to the basement of a house, and typically separated from the pavement by railings.
Location
The marking out of the boundaries, or identifying the place or site of, a piece of land, according to the description given in an entry, plan, map, etc
Area
(soccer) Penalty box; penalty area.
Location
(Kenya) An administrative region in Kenya, below counties and subcounties, and further divided into sublocations.
Area
(slang) Genitals.
Location
The act or process of locating.
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.
Location
Situation; place; locality.
Area
The inclosed space on which a building stands.
Location
That which is located; a tract of land designated in place.
Area
The sunken space or court, giving ingress and affording light to the basement of a building.
Location
A leasing on rent.
Area
An extent of surface; a tract of the earth's surface; a region; as, vast uncultivated areas.
Location
A point or extent in space
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.
Location
The act of putting something in a certain place or location
Area
A spot or small marked space; as, the germinative area.
Location
A determination of the location of something;
He got a good fix on the target
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
What is the difference between location and area?
Location refers to a specific point, while area is about the extent of space.
Does location affect the value of a property?
Yes, a property’s location can significantly impact its desirability and market price.
Is area always measured in square units?
Yes, area is typically measured in square feet, meters, miles, etc.
Can location and area be used interchangeably?
No, location is about where something is specifically, whereas area deals with how much space it occupies.
How is location determined?
Location can be determined by coordinates, addresses, or relative positioning.
What is the significance of area in real estate?
In real estate, area determines the size of property, affecting its utility and value.
How do maps use location and area?
Maps use location to show where things are and area to depict the size of different regions.
What tools are used to measure area?
Tools such as measuring tapes and GIS technology are used to calculate area.
Why is location important in logistics?
In logistics, accurate location data ensures efficient routing and delivery.
What tools measure location?
Tools like GPS and compasses are used to determine exact locations.
Can the concept of area apply to abstract spaces?
Yes, area can also refer to abstract or conceptual spaces like areas of expertise or study.
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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
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
