heartland

[ hahrt-land, -luh nd ]
/ ˈhɑrtˌlænd, -lənd /

noun

the part of a region considered essential to the viability and survival of the whole, especially a central land area relatively invulnerable to attack and capable of economic and political self-sufficiency.
any central area, as of a state, nation, or continent: a vineyard in California's heartland.

Origin of heartland

First recorded in 1900–05; heart + land

Example sentences from the Web for heartland

British Dictionary definitions for heartland

heartland
/ (ˈhɑːtˌlænd) /

noun

the central region of a country or continent
the core or most vital area the industrial heartland of England