What is defined as the spread or expansion of urban areas into the surrounding countryside?

The correct answer, urban sprawl, refers to the process where urban areas expand outward into the surrounding rural or countryside regions. This phenomenon typically involves the development of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and infrastructure that extend beyond the traditional municipal boundaries. Urban sprawl is often characterized by low-density development, increased reliance on cars, and the consumption of farmland or natural habitats.

This term captures the complexities of expansion where cities grow in a way that can lead to various environmental and social issues, including increased traffic congestion, loss of open space, and challenges in providing public services to newly developed areas. Understanding urban sprawl is essential in geography, as it relates to urban planning, sustainability, and the relationship between urban and rural spaces.