A rural area, also known as the countryside or a village in some countries, is a geographic area located outside towns and cities. Rural areas typically have a low population density and small settlements, and are often characterized by agricultural areas and areas with forestry. Different countries have varying definitions of rural for statistical and administrative purposes. In the United States, for example, the Census Bureau defines rural areas as all territory, population, and housing units located outside urban areas.
Rural areas have unique economic and social dynamics, and are often associated with land-based industries such as agriculture, forestry, and resource extraction. As a result, the economics of rural areas are very different from those of cities and can be subject to boom and bust cycles and vulnerability to extreme weather or natural disasters, such as droughts. In rural areas, agriculture is often the chief source of livelihood, along with fishing, cottage industries, pottery, and other activities.
Rural areas are often sparsely populated, have low housing density, and are far from urban centers. They typically have less well-maintained infrastructure and a harder time accessing markets than urban areas. Rural poverty refers to poverty in rural areas, including factors of rural society, rural economy, and political systems that give rise to the poverty found there.
In summary, rural areas are geographic areas located outside towns and cities, with low population density and small settlements. They are often characterized by agricultural areas and areas with forestry, and have unique economic and social dynamics. Rural areas are often associated with land-based industries such as agriculture, forestry, and resource extraction, and are subject to boom and bust cycles and vulnerability to extreme weather or natural disasters.