Q.Which of the following networks covers the largest geographical area?
(A) PAN
(B) LAN
(C) MAN
(D) WAN

Networks are classified by the area they cover, from the space around one person up to the whole world.

A PAN covers only the area around one person, a LAN one building, and a MAN a city, so all of these are smaller than a WAN.

As Section b explains, networks are classified by the area they cover. A WAN (Wide Area Network) covers a very large area — a country, a continent, or even the whole world — by joining many LANs and MANs over long distances using telephone lines, fibre, and satellites. The Internet is the largest WAN of all. So option (D) is correct.

The other options all cover smaller areas: a PAN (A) covers only the few metres around a single person (such as Bluetooth devices); a LAN (B) covers one building or campus; and a MAN (C) covers a city. In order of size, PAN < LAN < MAN < WAN, so the WAN is the largest.

Do not confuse MAN with WAN. A MAN covers a single city, while a WAN covers a country or the whole world. Remembering the size order PAN -> LAN -> MAN -> WAN prevents this error.