What type of network can reach across cities, states, or even the world?

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is designed to cover large geographical areas, such as cities, states, or even internationally across various countries. WANs connect multiple Local Area Networks (LANs), which are typically confined to small regions, enabling communication over greater distances. This capability is essential for organizations that operate in multiple locations, as it facilitates data sharing and connectivity over vast distances.

In contrast, Local Area Networks (LANs) are limited to smaller areas like homes, schools, or office buildings and cannot reach across cities or states. Peer-to-Peer Networks enable devices on the same local network to share resources directly without a central server, which also confines them to small areas. Home Area Networks (HANs) focus specifically on home environments, connecting devices within a single household. Thus, the nature of WANs makes it the only type of network capable of spanning large, diverse geographical locations effectively.