noun
former residence; former land
Refers to a place where one used to live or own land; often carries a nostalgic tone.
彼は故地を訪ねて、昔の家の跡を探した。
He visited his former land and looked for the remains of his old house.
noun
place remembered for a connection to someone
A place associated with memories of a person, not necessarily one's own former home.
この町は、亡き祖母との思い出が詰まった故地です。
This town is a place filled with memories of my late grandmother.
故郷 means 'hometown' or 'birthplace', while 故地 emphasizes a former residence or land one has left, not necessarily one's hometown.
Compound of 故 (former, old) and 地 (land, place). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji combination directly conveys the meaning.