Backlands

Backlands is a geographic and social term used to describe inland areas that lie behind the more settled frontlands of a region. It refers to hinterland zones that are often remote, less densely populated, and farther from major markets or urban centers. The phrase derives from the image of land at the rear or back of a coastal or riverine corridor and is used in geography, history, and development studies to denote marginal or frontier regions.

Geographically, backlands vary widely by region and climate. They are typically less accessible due to distance, with sparser infrastructure, fewer services, and smaller or more dispersed settlements. Economic activity often centers on small-scale agriculture, pastoralism, or extractive industries, and periods of isolation or poor transport can reinforce developmental gaps with frontland areas.

Historically, backlands have been focal points in processes of expansion, resource extraction, and political control during colonial and national eras. In Brazil, the term has been used to describe the sertão—the semi-arid interior that contrasts with the coastal zones—and has cultural and historical resonance through literature such as Euclides da Cunha's Os Sertões (The Backlands), which discusses life in the interior and the Canudos conflict.

In contemporary usage, backlands are discussed in terms of regional development, migration, and infrastructure investment. The concept emphasizes disparities between hinterland and core areas while also recognizing the diversity of landscapes and communities that inhabit inland regions.