Crossword Genius

Area for depravity is around North (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

province

'area' is the definition.
(province is a kind of area)

'for depravity is around north' is the wordplay.
'for' becomes 'pro' (I've seen this before).
'depravity' becomes 'vice' (I've seen this before).
'is around' indicates putting letters inside.
'north' becomes 'n' ('N' can be a synonym of 'north').
'vice' going around 'n' is 'vince'.
'pro'+'vince'='PROVINCE'

(Other definitions for province that I've seen before include "Territorial division" , "Administrative district of country" , "Ulster, Munster, Leinster ir Connaght" , "Munster or Leinster, say" , "Canterbury, for example" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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