Land owned by a national or local government, as opposed to private land (私有地). Often used in legal, administrative, or real estate contexts.
This park is public land, so anyone can use it freely.
公有地の売却には議会の承認が必要だ。
The sale of public land requires approval from the council.
National land, specifically owned by the central government, a subset of public land.
Compound of 公 (public) + 有 (possess) + 地 (land).