wilderness

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wilderness An extensive area of land that has never been permanently occupied by humans or subjected to their intensive use (e.g. for mineral extraction or cultivation) and that exists in a natural, or nearly natural state. Wilderness areas are selected for their ecological wholeness, rather than for the presence of any particular biota, landscape, or recreational attraction. In the USA, where wilderness areas have been formally designated, no economic use is allowed except by presidential decree in extreme emergency. The areas are free from traffic, and the number and activities of visitors are carefully controlled. Elsewhere, the concept merges with that of national parks, wilderness areas often being zones of more restricted public access within the park areas.

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