What type of network connects networks that are separated by geographical distances?

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is designed specifically to connect networks that are separated by large geographical distances. This type of network allows for communication and data transfer across cities, countries, or even continents, making it essential for organizations with multiple locations or those that need to connect remote users to central resources.

WANs utilize various transmission technologies, such as leased lines, satellite links, and microwave transmission, to link network segments that might be physically distant from each other. This characteristic differentiates WANs from other network types, such as Local Area Networks (LANs), which are confined to smaller geographical areas, typically within a single building or a campus.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide secure connections over the internet but do not inherently connect separate networks across broad distances the way WANs do. Similarly, Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are larger than LANs but are meant for connectivity over a city or a specific localized region rather than across vast geographical distances.