Glossary
Acculturation
The cultural change that occurs when individuals in a society accept or adopt an innovation.
Acid rain
Gases from factories and traffic have polluted the rain; when the rain falls, it can damage crops, forests, and lakes.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS. A disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.
Adaptive reuse
Finding new uses for older buildings and stores, often accompanied by a shift from decline to steady renewal in an urban neighborhood.
Advanced developing countries
Another term for those less developed countries (LDCs) with particularly rapid industrial development.
Advanced economies
A term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the top group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries.
Aerosolized dust or soil contact disease
Aerosolized dust or soil contact disease acquired through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent urine.
AFESD
Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development was established on 16 May 1968. Its aim to promote economic and social development for its members.
Afghanistan
Location: Central Asia Official name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1919 / 1919 Capital city: Kabul Population: 29.1 million / 116 people per sq mile (45 people per sq km) Total land area: 250,000 square miles (647,500 square km) Language(s) spoken: Pashtu (official language), Tajik, Dari … Read more
Africa
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent with a total area of 11,712,434 sq miles (30,335,000 sq km). It has 54 separate countries, including Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It straddles the equator and is the only continent to stretch from the northern to southern temperate zones. Learn more about Africa here.
African Trypanosomiasis
The African Trypanosomiasis is caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma, transmitted to humans via the bite of bloodsucking Tsetse flies.
Age of Discovery
(Age of Exploration) The three to four centuries of European exploration, colonization, and global resource exploitation and trading led largely by European mercantile powers.
Age-structure profile
(Population pyramid) The graphic representation of a country’s population by gender and 5-year age increments.
Aksum
An important trading capital from the first to the eighth centuries A.D. In what is now Ethiopia. It flourished due to its location near the red sea and the Indian ocean.
Albania
Location: Southeast Europe Official name: Republic of Albania Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1912 / 1921 Capital city: Tirana Population: 3.2 million / 302 people per sq mile (117 people per sq km) Total land area: 11,100 square miles (28,748 square km) Language(s) spoken: Albanian (official language), Greek Main religions: … Read more