Which term would be used to describe overlapping geographical features?

The term used to describe overlapping geographical features is "overlap." This term explicitly highlights the situation in which two or more spatial entities occupy the same physical area, making it clear that there is a shared or common space between the features. In the context of geographic information systems (GIS), understanding overlap is critical for analyzing how different features interact, such as land use, vegetation types, or property boundaries.

Proximity refers to the closeness or nearness of features but does not necessarily imply any degree of overlap. Contiguity involves features that are touching or connected at their edges. Adjacency is similar but emphasizes the idea of being next to each other without the possibility of overlapping.

Understanding these distinctions is essential for effective spatial analysis and for interpreting geographic data accurately, particularly when assessing relationships and interactions between different features within a GIS framework.