what is a veldt

A veldt, also spelled veld, is a type of wide open rural landscape found in southern Africa, particularly in the countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. It is a flat area covered in grass or low scrub, and is usually devoid of trees. The word "veldt" is Dutch in origin, and means "field". The veldt definition may encompass different natural environments, both humid and dry, such as coastal plain, coastal prairie, flooded grasslands and savannas, grassland, prairie, savanna, steppe, meadow, water-meadow, flood-meadow, wet meadow, as well as agricultural fields. However, it is less appropriate for land that is heavily forested, mountainous, or urban. The veldt is often used for pastoral activities, but does not include areas used for both pastoral activities and the planting of crops, which are referred to as "fields".