1. remote or sparsely settled rural areas; the hinterland
Usage: usually plural

Examples

• The explorer ventured deep into the backlands of Brazil.
• Many families left the crowded cities to settle in the backlands.
• The backlands remained largely untouched by modern development.
• Cattle ranching was the main occupation in these remote backlands.
• The government built roads to connect the backlands with major cities.
• Life in the backlands was harsh but self-sufficient.