1.
mountainous area, highlands, mountainous terrain
A geographical term for a region with mountains and elevated terrain. Refers to areas of land that are predominantly mountains, as opposed to flatland or plains.
日本は国土の大半が山地だ。
The majority of Japan's land area is mountainous terrain.
山地では気温が低く、雪が多い。
In mountainous areas, temperatures are low and there is a lot of snow.
中央山地を越えるトンネルの建設が計画されている。
Construction of a tunnel through the central mountain range is being planned.
USAGE:
A geographical term used in both academic and general contexts. Not to be confused with the homophone 産地 (production area, place of origin), which has a completely different meaning.
Distinguished from 山脈 (mountain range), which refers to a chain of mountains in a line, and 高地 (highland), which emphasizes elevation. 山地 is a broader term for any area dominated by mountains.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 山地帯: mountain zone
- 中央山地: central highlands
- 山地民族: mountain peoples