Periphery facts for kids

A periphery is like the edge or outer part of something. Think of it as the boundary or the area furthest from the center. The word comes from the Greek word περιφέρεια, which means a circle's edge or an outer surface.

What Does Periphery Mean?

The idea of a periphery helps us describe different parts of many things. It's used in science, geography, and even in how we see the world.

In Your Body

In biology, the periphery of your body means the parts that are away from your main middle section.

• For example, your peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. These nerves help your brain talk to your arms, legs, and other body parts. Your central nervous system is your brain and spinal cord, which are the main control centers.
• There are also things like peripheral membrane proteins. These are special proteins found on the outer edges of cells.

How You See Things

Peripheral vision is what you see out of the corner of your eye. It's the part of your vision that happens near the edges of your field of view. This is different from your central vision, which is what you focus on directly. Peripheral vision helps you notice things moving around you, even if you're not looking right at them.

With Computers

A computer peripheral is an extra piece of equipment you can add to a computer. These devices help the computer do more things.

• Examples include a printer, which lets you print documents.
• A keyboard and mouse are also peripherals because they help you control the computer.
• A webcam is another peripheral that lets you make video calls.

In Geography and Countries

In geography and how we talk about countries, the Periphery can mean countries that are not as rich or developed as the main "core" countries.

• "Core countries" are usually those that are very industrialized and have strong economies.
• "Periphery countries" might have less industry or be less wealthy. They are often at the "edges" of the global economy. This idea helps explain how different countries are connected in the world.

Regions in Greece

Greece is divided into 13 main areas called peripheries of Greece. These are like regions or states within the country. Each periphery has its own capital city and helps manage local government.

In Fictional Worlds

In the fictional universe of BattleTech, the Periphery is a large area of space far away from the main, powerful star systems. It's often shown as a wilder, less controlled part of the galaxy.

See also

In Spanish: Periferia para niños