Afgelegen

Afgelegen is an adjective used in Dutch and Afrikaans to describe a place that is remote or distant from urban centers, often located in rural or hard-to-reach areas. It conveys a sense of isolation, limited access, or natural surroundings that set the location apart from more densely populated places.

Etymology and meaning: the word is formed from the prefix af- meaning away or distant, combined with gelegen, the past participle of liggen (to lie) or the adjective meaning located. The combination literally conveys “located far away.” The term is commonly used to describe villages, regions, or landscapes that are far from city infrastructure or services.

Usage and examples: afgelegen is typically applied to places rather than people. Common phrases include aafgelegen dorp (remote village) or een afgelegen gebied (a remote area). In travel writing, real estate descriptions, and regional planning, afgelegen helps signal accessibility challenges, quiet surroundings, or preservation of natural scenery associated with isolation.

Afrikaans usage: in Afrikaans, afgelegen carries a closely related meaning and is used similarly to describe places distant from population hubs. The term appears in everyday speech, literature, and media to denote remoteness or seclusion.

See also: afgelegen, remote area, isolation. The concept is often contrasted with central or accessible locations and is frequently linked to discussions of infrastructure, transport, and regional development.