import hinterland
Quick Summary
The term "hinterland" refers to a region that is closely linked economically to a nearby town or city. Originally, it described the land inland from a coast or port. This concept was popularized by geographer George Chisholm in the late 19th century, who adapted the German word hinterland (meaning "land in back of") to describe the backcountry of a port.12
Over time, the meaning expanded to include any region remote from urban areas or lying beyond major cultural centers. Today, "hinterland" can also refer to the "urban hinterland," which describes metropolitan tributary regions tied to a central city, such as a U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Area. An import hinterland is the region for which goods shipped to a port are destined.21
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.