open terrain

{{short description|Flat obstruction-free terrain}}

{{Redirect|Open ground|an electrical socket with an "open ground" (i.e., one that is ungrounded)|Earthing system}}

File:Cowparsley among the Wheat - geograph.org.uk - 441070.jpg.]]

Open terrain, open country or open ground is terrain which is mostly flat and free of obstructions such as trees and buildings. Examples include farmland, grassland and specially cleared areas such as an airport.{{citation |page=199 |title=Wind Loading |author=Alain Peyrot |isbn=9780784410776 |publisher=American Society of Civil Engineers |year=2010}}

Such terrain is significant in military manoeuvre and tactics as the lack of obstacles makes movement easy and engagements are possible at long range. Such terrain is preferred to close terrain for offensive action as rapid movement makes decisive battles possible.{{citation |title=The Geography of Warfare |page=63 |author=Patrick Edmund O'Sullivan, Jesse W. Miller |year=1983 |chapter=Close and Open Terrain |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9780709919186}}

Wind loading tends to be high in open country as there are few obstacles providing a windbreak. This affects the design of tall structures such electricity pylons and windmills.