surrounding area
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surrounding area
The area that surrounds a larger city and is closely connected to it, including suburbs and rural areas.
Viele Menschen arbeiten in der Stadt, leben aber im günstigeren Umland.
Many people work in the city but live in the more affordable surrounding area.
The word 'Umland' (surrounding area) is made up of the preposition 'um' (around) and the noun 'das Land' (land/country). So it literally describes the land that lies around a city.
Das Umland von Frankfurt ist sehr dicht besiedelt.
The surrounding area of Frankfurt is very densely populated.
'Umland' (surrounding area) is almost always used in reference to a specific city. This connection is often made with 'von' (of/from) or through an adjective, e.g. 'das Umland von Hamburg' (the area surrounding Hamburg) or 'das Berliner Umland' (the area surrounding Berlin).
Viele Firmen ziehen aus der Innenstadt ins Hamburger Umland.
Many companies are moving out of the city center into the area surrounding Hamburg.
Pay attention to the prepositions and the case: you live 'im Umland' (in the surrounding area; location, dative), but you move 'ins Umland' (to/into the surrounding area; direction, accusative).
Die Mieten sind im Umland oft deutlich günstiger.
Rents are often significantly cheaper in the surrounding area.
surroundings / environment
'die Umgebung' and 'das Umland' both mean an area around a place. 'die Umgebung' is more general: it can mean the landscape or area around a village, a hotel, a lake, or a city. 'das Umland' is used especially with a larger city. It means the places, suburbs, and rural areas connected to that city. If you are simply talking about the area around any place, 'Umgebung' usually fits better. If it is about a city and the area surrounding it, 'Umland' sounds more precise.
Viele Menschen wohnen im Umland von München und fahren täglich in die Stadt.
Many people live in the surrounding area of Munich and commute into the city every day.
Nach dem Frühstück erkunden wir die Umgebung des kleinen Hotels.
After breakfast, we explore the surroundings of the small hotel.