Plantation

A large estate, especially in a tropical or subtropical area, where crops such as cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, or coffee are cultivated, typically by resident labor. Historically, plantations often relied on enslaved or indentured workers. Beyond agriculture, the term can also refer to a forest or area cultivated with trees, or, figuratively, to a place established and maintained with a specific purpose or focus. The core concept revolves around extensive land use, cultivation of resources, and a managed system of labor, though contemporary usage varies significantly from historical implications.

Plantation meaning with examples

• In the antebellum South, vast cotton plantations dominated the landscape, fueled by enslaved labor. The opulent homes of plantation owners contrasted sharply with the harsh realities of the enslaved people working the fields, creating a stark social divide. These plantations represented economic power and a complex, troubling history of exploitation.
• The coffee plantation in the highlands of Colombia provided employment for hundreds and contributed significantly to the nation's economy. Farmers carefully cultivate the coffee plants on the large tracts of land. The plantation uses modern techniques to ensure sustainability and the highest quality beans.
• Forestry companies established massive pine plantations to supply the lumber industry. Carefully managed, these tree plantations, like the historical ones, are designed for efficient production. The timber plantation played an important role in economic development.
• During colonial times, sugar plantations in the Caribbean were centers of wealth creation, but their profitability came at a severe human cost. The sugar plantations depended heavily on the exploitation of enslaved people.
• The company established a data plantation, a huge server farm, to support its online services. It represents a physical location where technology and resources are consolidated to serve a specific purpose.