geographically small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "geographically small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an area or location that has a limited physical size or extent. Example: "Despite being geographically small, the country has a rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Dustmann and Preston (2001) suggest that even if the location decision of individuals is endogenous when geographically small areas are considered, the endogeneity problem decreases with the geographical size of the area considered.

IZA Journal of Migration

Fairfield County is geographically small, but complex, said Dr. Anthony Cernera, president of Sacred Heart University.

The New York Times

While geographically small, the area packs an extremely big economic punch.

The Guardian

Beats were kept geographically small to allow officers to respond to incidents in a timely manner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like Burundi, its neighbour to the south, Rwanda is a geographically small country with one of the highest population densities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a geographically small country, the UK has closely connected towns and cities and, as a result, relatively few charge points are needed to reach most of the population.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Oliver Thomas, the lumbering, emotional president of the city council and a native of the Lower Nine, led the opposition to a geographically smaller city.

The New Yorker

An earlier, geographically smaller district had elected John V. Lindsay, a Republican, to the first of four terms in 1958; he went on to become mayor.

The New York Times

And Dallas is in a position to fare worse than Houston in terms of population, Mr. Murdock said, because the city is older and geographically smaller, and has fewer places to build the sprawling residential developments that can be possible in the suburbs.

The New York Times

In other research using this spatial point pattern test, Andresen and Malleson (2011) found that geographically smaller units of analysis had greater values for the S-Index and this was because of the large number of zero values in dissemination areas for both point patterns being tested.

Crime Science

Instead, hummingbird pollination in temperate regions may slow down population fragmentation and geographically small-scale speciation because these vertebrate pollinators maintain across-population gene flow.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "geographically small" to accurately describe areas, regions, or entities that have a limited physical size, particularly when contrasting them with other attributes such as population density or economic impact.

Common error

Avoid using "geographically small" when the context requires a discussion of population size or economic output, unless you're explicitly contrasting those aspects with the physical size of the area. Ensure the focus remains on geographical dimensions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "geographically small" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the size of a geographic entity. It is typically used to provide context about the physical dimensions of a place, as seen in Ludwig's examples describing countries or regions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "geographically small" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an area of limited physical size. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival modifier, most frequently used in scientific and news contexts to provide contextual information. While alternatives like "regionally compact" or "territorially constrained" exist, "geographically small" is direct and widely understood. It is essential to use this phrase when the primary focus is on geographical dimensions, distinguishing it from discussions about population or economy. Use cases show it is most frequently employed in science, news, and encyclopedic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

geographically restricted

Indicates that the area is subject to geographic limitations.

small geographic area

Reorders the words without changing the meaning.

limited in geographic scope

Focuses on the restriction in area rather than just size.

compact geographical area

Rearranges the word order to emphasize compactness.

territorially constrained

Emphasizes the limitation in terms of territory or land.

areally small

A more concise term emphasizing the small area size.

regionally compact

Highlights the compactness of the region.

spatially confined

Emphasizes the spatial limitations of an area.

area of limited extent

Rephrases to focus on the limited range or scope.

localized area

Focuses on the area being restricted or confined to a particular location.

FAQs

How can I use "geographically small" in a sentence?

You can use "geographically small" to describe a country, region, or area that has limited physical size. For example: "Despite being geographically small, the island nation has a diverse ecosystem."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "geographically small"?

Alternatives include "limited in geographic scope", "territorially constrained", or "regionally compact", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "geographically small" in formal writing?

Yes, "geographically small" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts where precise descriptions of physical attributes are required. However, context always matters.

What's the difference between "geographically small" and "small area"?

"Geographically small" emphasizes the geographical aspect of the size, while "small area" is a more general term. You'd use "geographically small" when the context specifically relates to geographical features or comparisons.