hinterland / backcountry
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hinterland
The area located behind a coast, riverbank, or border, often supplied from a port or city.
Der Hamburger Hafen ist für das gesamte norddeutsche Hinterland von großer Bedeutung.
The Port of Hamburg is of great importance for the entire northern German hinterland.
backcountry
A rural region far from urban centers and often sparsely populated. Sometimes also used disparagingly to mean “the provinces.”
Viele junge Leute ziehen vom Hinterland in die großen Städte, um zu studieren.
Many young people move from the backcountry to the big cities to study.
The word is made up of the preposition 'hinter' (behind) and the noun 'Land' (land/country). So it literally describes the land that lies behind a particular geographic point such as a coast or a city.
Die neue Bahnstrecke verbindet die Küstenstadt mit dem Hinterland.
The new railway line connects the coastal city with the hinterland.
The meaning depends on the context. In an economic sense, it refers to the supply area of a city or port. In a social context, it describes a rural region far from centers.
Der Hafen versorgt das gesamte Hinterland mit Waren aus Übersee.
The port supplies the entire hinterland with goods from overseas.
When 'Hinterland' (backcountry/hinterland) describes a remote, rural region, it can have a slightly negative undertone. It can suggest that there is little culture or infrastructure there, similar to the word 'Provinz' (the provinces).
Sie hatte keine Lust, ihr ganzes Leben im stillen Hinterland zu verbringen.
She had no desire to spend her whole life in the quiet backcountry.
province
Provinz and Hinterland can both refer to a rural region far from cities. Provinz emphasizes being outside the major centers and sometimes suggests a lack of cosmopolitanism. Hinterland mainly describes the spatial relationship to an urban center. Choose Provinz for status and Hinterland for the connection to a city.
Viele junge Leute verlassen das Hinterland und ziehen in die nahe Großstadt.
Many young people leave the backcountry and move to the nearby big city.
Viele junge Leute verlassen die Provinz und ziehen in die Großstadt.
Many young people leave the provinces and move to the big city.
