despoblado

unpopulated, deserted

adjective des-poh-BLAH-doh Rare

Also means

barren

Usage Note

Despoblado describes a place that has been emptied of its inhabitants or that has always been uninhabited. As a noun, un despoblado means a deserted area or wilderness. It contrasts with poblado (populated, settled). The related verb is despoblar (to depopulate) and the noun despoblación refers to rural depopulation, a major issue in contemporary Spain.

Examples

"Cruzaron un terreno completamente despoblado."

Natural Translation

They crossed completely deserted terrain.

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