Rural





Rural areas are sparsely settled places away from the influence of large
cities and towns. Such areas are distinct from more intensively settled
urban and suburban areas, and also from unsettled lands such as outback or
wilderness. People live in villages, on farms and in other isolated houses.

Rural areas can have an agricultural character, though many rural areas are
characterized by an economy based on logging, mining, oil and gas
exploration, or tourism.

Lifestyles in rural areas are different than those in urban areas, mainly
because limited services are available. Governmental services like law
enforcement, schools, fire departments, and libraries may be distant,
limited in scope, or unavailable. Utilities like water, sewer, street
lighting, and garbage collection may not be present. Public transport is
absent or very limited, people use their own vehicles, walk or ride an animal.