How are local area networks different from wide area networks?

In computer science, the primary distinction between a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN) is the geographic scope they cover and the infrastructure they employ.1

• Local Area Networks (LANs): These connect computers and peripheral devices within a limited physical area, such as a single office, laboratory, or building. LANs typically use high-speed links like Ethernet cables, fiber optics, or Wi-Fi to allow users to share resources like printers, storage, and data.12
• Wide Area Networks (WANs): These span much larger geographic distances, including cities, countries, and even continents. While they may utilize cables or fiber optics, they often rely on telephone lines, modems, and satellites to facilitate communication over long distances. The Internet is the largest example of a WAN, functioning as a global network of interconnected networks.13

While LANs are designed for rapid, localized data exchange, WANs provide the infrastructure necessary to link these smaller networks together on a global scale.1