Passage 1
In 1991, for the second year 【in a row】, the economies of low-income and middle-income countries virtually 【stagnated】, as measured by an increase in per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Aggregate output for developing countries advanced by slightly less than 2 per cent during 1991 (similar to the weak performance of 1990), implying an easing in per capita income of 0.1 per cent.
【Aggregate】 statistics for 1991 were influenced by the sharp decline in output in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as by the adverse effects of the Gulf crisis on several economies in the Middle East. Excluding Central and Eastern Europe, growth in developing countries in 1991 was 3.4 per cent, compared with 3.8 per cent during the 1980s. Estimates of GDP growth by major 【geographic】 region show an acceleration in Latin America and in sub-Saharan Africa; an increase in China’s growth rate helped to sustain high rates of growth in the East Asia region.
38.What does the report mean to emphasize using the word “geographic”?