Rural

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ruralis, from rur-, rus open land

• Date: 15th century

Definition

• of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture

Description

Rural areas (referred to as "the countryside") are large and isolated areas of an open country (in reference to open fields and not forests, etc.), often with low population density. It should be noted that the terms "countryside" and "rural areas" are NOT synonyms. In particular, a "countryside" refers to rural areas that are OPEN. A forest, wetlands, etc. with a low population density is NOT a countryside.

About 91 percent of the rural population now earn salaried incomes, often in urban areas. The 10 percent who still produce resources generate 20 percent of the world’s coal, copper, and oil; 10 percent of its wheat, 20 percent of its meat, and 50 percent of its corn. The efficiency of these farms is due in large part to the commercialization of the farming industry, and not single family operations.