Hinterlands

Hinterlands is a noun that refers to the land beyond the city.  The German word hinter (HIN ter) means ‘behind,’ while land simply means ‘land.’ This word to describe the often uncharted lands behind the big cities was been a part of English since the late 19th century. Example: Having grown up in the big city, I often feel a little out of my element in the hinterlands. Those small-town expressions and terms often float right over my head.