noun
foreign land; overseas land
General term for a country or region outside one's own; neutral in register. Often used in contrast with 内地 (ないち, 'home country' or 'mainland').
彼は長年外地で暮らしてきた。
He has lived abroad for many years.
外地の文化に触れるのは楽しい。
It's enjoyable to experience foreign cultures.
noun
overseas territories of the Empire of Japan
Historical term referring to territories under Japanese colonial rule, such as Korea and Taiwan, during the imperial period. Contrasts with 内地 (ないち, 'the Japanese mainland').
戦前、外地と呼ばれた地域には多くの日本人が移住した。
Before the war, many Japanese emigrated to regions called overseas territories.
Compound of 外 (がい, 'outside') and 地 (ち, 'land'). The historical sense developed during the Japanese Empire period to denote territories outside the Japanese mainland.