APHG final Sem1

12/18/2025

epidemic

a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

formal region

a region that is based quantitative data (can be documented or measured); an area defined by consistent, measurable characteristics shared by everyone within its boundaries, like a specific language, political system, climate, or economic activity

functional region

a region based around a node or focal point - terrestrial radio broadcasts are an example of this

vernacular (perceptual) region

area that shares a common qualitative characteristic, it’s only a region because people believe it’s a region (Ex: midwest)

epidemiology

the scientific study of how often diseases and health conditions occur in different populations, who they affect, and why, focusing on the distribution (patterns in time/place/people) and determinants (causes/risk factors)

developing language

a language used daily with some written tradition, but not yet globally widespread

Vigorous Language

a language that's actively spoken daily by people of all ages but lacks a formal written (literary) tradition

dialect

a regional or social variation of a language, differing in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar (like "y'all" vs. "you guys")

intraregional migration

the movement of people within the same region of a country

interregional migration

the movement of people from one region to another within the same country

Internally Displaced Person (IDP)

someone forced to flee their home due to conflict, disaster, or persecution but stays within their own country's borders, unlike refugees who cross international lines

Counterurbanization

the demographic trend of net migration from urban areas to rural or suburban areas

forced migration

the involuntary movement of people due to severe push factors like war, persecution (ethnic/religious), natural disasters, famine, or government policies

custom

a repetitive act by a group that becomes characteristic of that group

cultural imperialism

when a dominant culture (often Western/American) spreads its values, media, and products globally, influencing or overpowering local traditions, leading to cultural homogenization, language loss (like indigenous languages), and identity struggles