rust belt, n.Definitions

The Rust Belt is the faded empire of coal, steel, railroads and other industries now dead or wheezing.

The Rust Belt is the aging heart of the republic, now in the terminal stages of coronary disease.

The Rust Belt is a province more deserted than entered into, as its citizens depart for southern climes or that great coke oven in the sky.

The Rust Belt is a grim northern realm of blackened brick mills and foundries, blackened snow, blackened lungs and blackened spirits.