The difference between 接近 and 靠近
The verbs 接近 and 靠近 have similar meanings, however we should use them in different contexts.
The same meaning
We use the verbs 接近 
and 靠近 when talking about a short distance between people, objects or places.
and 靠近 when talking about a short distance between people, objects or places.Examples
这个地方接近北极地区
This place is close to the Arctic region
zhè ge dìfang jiējìn běijí dìqū
尽可能靠近对象，拿稳相机
Get as close as possible to the object and hold the camera steady
jǐn kěnéng kàojìn duìxiàng, ná wěn xiàngjī
他情愿耐心守候，以等到接近她的时机
He would rather wait patiently for the right time to approach her
tā qíngyuàn nàixīn shǒuhòu, yǐ děngdào jiējìn tā de shíjī
The other meaning of the verb 接近
Sometimes we can use 接近 in the meaning "close to", "near" with words denoting time, quantity or abstract concepts.
Pay attention
It’s not interchangeable with 靠近 in this meaning.
Examples
接近下午一点时，救护车终于赶到了
The ambulance finally arrived close to 1 PM
jiējìn xiàwǔ yì diǎn shí, jiùhùchē zhōngyú gǎndào le
他的财产现在被估价的数额接近一百万美元
His estate is now valued at nearly a million dollars
tā de cáichǎn xiànzài bèi gūjià de shù'é jiējìn yì bǎi wàn měiyuán
使理论接近实际
Make theory close to practice
shǐ lǐlùn jiējìn shíjì
We also can use 接近 as an adjective "close".
Examples
他们俩的水平非常接近
They are both very close to each other
tāmen liǎ de shuǐpíng fēicháng jiējìn
这些儿童彼此的年龄很接近
The children are close to each other in age
zhèxiē értóng bǐcǐ de niánlíng hěn jiējìn
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