from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
hinterland \hin"ter*land`\, n. [G.; hinter behind + land land.]
a remote and undeveloped area; originally, the land or region
lying behind the coast district. The term is used esp. with
reference to the so-called
{doctrine of the hinterland}, sometimes advanced, that
occupation of the coast supports a claim to an exclusive
right to occupy, from time to time, the territory lying
inland of the coast.
Syn: backwoods, back country, boondocks.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. + WordNet 1.5]