新疆和中亚及有关的地理概念

On Xinjiang,Central Asia and the Other Concerning Geographical Names

本文认为,新疆古称西域,其实西域常指包括新疆及其以西的中亚广大地区。"中亚"亦有广义和狭义之分,是见仁见智的近代地理概念。此外,古今中外还有一些与新疆和中亚有关的地理概念,都有一定的历史文化背景,系统考察之,那就是一部亚洲腹地地缘政治文化史。近年美国人提出GreaterCentralAsia(大中亚)的概念,另有一番政治含义。

The Western Region is the old name of Xinjiang;in fact,the name Western Region was always used to cover a broad area that includes Xinjiang and part of Central Asia beyond Xinjiang.Central Asia has a broad meaning and a narrow meaning,that is a geographical name whose meaning varies according to different interpreter.The other names concerning Xinjiang and Central Asia all have their historical and cultural background.A systematic review of these names composes a history of culture and geopolitics in inner Asia.