Location vs. Vicinity — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 30, 2024
Location refers to a specific point or place where something exists, while vicinity denotes the area surrounding or near a particular location.
Difference Between Location and Vicinity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Location is a precise point or set area where something is situated or has occurred, often marked with coordinates or an address, whereas vicinity refers to the area around a particular location, encompassing a broader, less defined space. For example, a location might be a street address, while a vicinity might refer to the neighborhood around that address.
Location can be identified on a map with exactness, such as the GPS coordinates of a building, on the other hand, vicinity is used to describe a general area that might not have specific boundaries, such as "in the vicinity of downtown." This distinction shows how location is about precision, while vicinity deals with a relative area.
When discussing events or planning, location is used to denote the exact place of the event or activity, making it essential for logistics, whereas vicinity might be used to describe the general area for purposes like discussing nearby amenities or potential impacts on the surrounding community.
In real estate, location often refers to the exact place a property is found, impacting its desirability and value, while vicinity might refer to the area's general characteristics, such as safety, accessibility, or attractiveness, which also affect property values but in a broader sense.
In emergency services, location is crucial for an accurate response, such as the specific site of an accident, whereas vicinity might be used in broader search and rescue operations, where an exact location hasn't been pinpointed but a general area has been identified.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A specific, exact point where something exists.
An area around or near a particular point.
Precision
High, with specific coordinates or addresses.
Lower, general area without precise boundaries.
Usage
Essential in navigation, real estate, and logistics.
Used for describing nearby areas or broader impacts.
Mapping
Can be pinpointed on a map.
Described in general terms on a map.
Examples
GPS coordinates, home address.
Nearby areas, such as "near downtown".
Compare with Definitions
Location
A site or area occupied by a significant event or object.
The location for the new store was chosen for its high visibility.
Vicinity
A neighborhood or area close to a specific location.
Several shops are located in the vicinity of the train station.
Location
The setting or environment where something is positioned or where an event takes place.
Filming locations for the movie included several exotic beaches.
Vicinity
The area near or surrounding a particular place.
They searched in the vicinity of the abandoned warehouse.
Location
A specific area designated for a particular purpose.
The emergency assembly location is at the park entrance.
Vicinity
A broad area around a point of interest.
Tourists were warned about heavy traffic in the vicinity of the festival.
Location
A particular place or position.
The location of the hotel is marked on the map.
Vicinity
A relative position or area without precise boundaries.
The best schools in the vicinity influence home prices.
Location
A set geographical point used for purposes of orientation.
Each scout was given the location of their campsite.
Vicinity
The immediate environment or district around a location.
The vicinity was known for its peaceful, scenic landscape.
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.
Vicinity
The area near or surrounding a particular place
The number of people living in the immediate vicinity was small
Location
A particular place or position
The property is set in a convenient location
Vicinity
The state of being near in space or relationship; proximity
Two restaurants in close vicinity.
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.
Vicinity
A nearby, surrounding, or adjoining region; a neighborhood.
Location
The act or process of locating
Location of the lost hikers took two days.
Vicinity
An approximate degree or amount
Houses priced in the vicinity of $200,000.
Location
A place where something is or could be located; a site.
Vicinity
Proximity; the state of being near.
There was a crackling sound in the vicinity of my right ear.
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.
Vicinity
Neighbourhood; nearby region; surrounding area.
There is a hurricane in the vicinity of the Bahamas.
Location
A tract of land that has been surveyed and marked off.
Vicinity
Approximate size or amount.
I weigh in the vicinity of 80kg.
Location
A particular point or place in physical space.
Vicinity
The quality or state of being near, or not remote; nearness; propinquity; proximity; as, the value of the estate was increased by the vicinity of two country seats.
A vicinity of disposition and relative tempers.
Location
An act of locating.
Vicinity
That which is near, or not remote; that which is adjacent to anything; adjoining space or country; neighborhood.
Location
(South Africa) An apartheid-era urban area populated by non-white people; township.
Vicinity
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
Location
(legal) A leasing on rent.
Location
A contract for the use of a thing, or service of a person, for hire.
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
Location
(Kenya) An administrative region in Kenya, below counties and subcounties, and further divided into sublocations.
Location
The act or process of locating.
Location
Situation; place; locality.
Location
That which is located; a tract of land designated in place.
Location
A leasing on rent.
Location
A point or extent in space
Location
The act of putting something in a certain place or location
Location
A determination of the location of something;
He got a good fix on the target
Common Curiosities
What is a location?
A location is a specific place or position where something exists or occurs.
What does vicinity mean?
Vicinity refers to the area around or near a specific location, often used to describe general surroundings.
How do maps use location and vicinity differently?
Maps pinpoint locations exactly but describe vicinities in broader, general terms.
How does knowing the vicinity help in planning?
It helps in understanding the broader impacts and opportunities around a location.
What information is needed to determine a location?
Detailed information like addresses or coordinates is required.
How do emergency services use location and vicinity?
Precise locations are critical for immediate response, while vicinities are important in broader search and rescue missions.
How does location differ from vicinity?
Location denotes a precise point, while vicinity refers to a broader area surrounding that point.
Can vicinity be used interchangeably with location?
No, vicinity is less precise and used for broader areas, unlike the specific nature of location.
What role does vicinity play in real estate?
Vicinity describes the broader area's characteristics, affecting property desirability and value.
Why is the exact location important?
Exact locations are crucial for navigation, emergency response, and legal purposes.
Does vicinity have legal implications?
Yes, in some contexts, such as zoning laws and environmental regulations.
Can businesses benefit from knowing their vicinity?
Yes, businesses can better understand their market and competition by analyzing their vicinity.
Why might someone prefer a less precise vicinity over an exact location?
For privacy reasons or when promoting areas with a broader appeal, such as neighborhoods or features.
Can the vicinity of a place change over time?
Yes, as developments occur, the characteristics of a vicinity can evolve.
Is vicinity important for tourism?
Yes, tourists often explore attractions within the vicinity of their accommodations.
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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.
Edited 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.
