Peripherie

Peripherie is a term used to describe the outer parts or boundaries of a space, object, or system, contrasted with its center. The word derives from Greek peri- 'around' and pherein 'to carry' and entered German and other languages through historical scientific usage. In general, the Peripherie denotes the fringe or external regions rather than the core.

In geography and urban studies, the Peripherie refers to areas outside the economic or administrative center of a city, region, or country. Peripheral zones often have lower population density, different employment structures, and sometimes weaker infrastructure. The core–periphery concept describes asymmetrical relationships between a dominant center and surrounding peripheries, with the center generating most economic activity and the periphery supplying resources or labor. Development policies frequently address peripheries to reduce regional disparities, improve transport connections, and expand public services.

In economics and systems theory, peripheries are discussed as parts of a network or economy that depend on central regions for capital, goods, or markets. The term is used in world-systems theory and related approaches to describe how peripheral areas contribute to and are influenced by core regions, often experiencing different growth dynamics and levels of resilience.

In technology, Peripherie denotes peripheral devices connected to a computer or system, such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, external storage, and network adapters. Peripherals are distinguished from the central processor and main memory and usually communicate via standardized interfaces like USB or PCIe, with some being hot-swappable.

In biology and medicine, periphery refers to the outer parts of an organ or the body, and terms such as peripheral nerves, peripheral vascular system, and peripheral vision describe structures or functions away from the central axis or focal point.