Why is skip propagation via the F2 region longer than that via the other ionospheric regions?

The F2 region is the uppermost layer of the ionosphere, often situated 200 to 250 miles above the Earth's surface. Because it is the highest reflecting layer, radio waves refracted from it travel much further before returning to Earth compared to waves bouncing off the lower E or D layers. This is a matter of simple geometry: the higher the apex of the signal's path, the longer the skip distance. While the F2 region is highly ionized, it is the sheer altitude—not temperature inversions or atmospheric density—that directly dictates the maximum physical distance a single skip can cover.