民国时期中国地理研究所钩沉

The general view about the China Institute of Geography during the Republic of China period

中国地理研究所是中国地理学史上第一个地理学专门研究机关,1940年8月1日成立于重庆北碚,1950年4月以该所为基础成立中国科学院地理研究所筹备处。抗日战争时期抗战建国事业对地理人才的迫切需求、朱家骅对在中国发展地理学的大力提倡、管理中英庚款董事会息金收入的资金支持和近代以来地理学专门研究机构的缺失等共同构成中国地理研究所成立的历史背景。成立后的中国地理研究所吸引了一批优秀的地理学者,开展了广泛的地理实地考察,撰写了丰富的地理著作,出版了多种地理读物,培养了众多的地理学人才,为中华人民共和国成立后中国现代地理学的发展奠定了坚实的基础。

China Institute of Geography was the first professional geography institute in the history of geography in China, which was the only professional geography institute in China during that period. It was founded on August 1, 1940 in Beibei, Chongqing. and its founding marked the beginning of modern geography study in China. On the basis of it, the Institute of Geography, CAS Preparatory Office was established in April 1950, and most institutes relevant to geography in the Chinese Academy of Sciences were also established on the basis of it. During the China's War of Resistence Against Japanese Aggression, the national construction demanded a large number of geographical professionals. On the other hand, there was no professional institute majoring in modern geography research. In order to prompt the development of geography in China, Zhu Jiahua(Chu Chia-hua) had made great efforts during that period. As the board chairman of the Sino-British Institute Fund, he had given strong financial assistance for the development of geography in China during his tenure. At the same time, there was a strong employment demand for geographical professionals. All the above factors consist of the background of the China Institute of Geography's foundation. The history of China Institute of Geography dated back to the Geography Institute of Academia Sinica preparatory office. Its address was initially in the Beibei District of Chongqing, afterwards it moved to Nanjing in 1947.During 1940-1949, China Institute of Geography invited many telented geographers to focus on professional research. Most of these researchers became the backbone of Chinese geography after the founding of the People's Republic of China. They carried out a large number of field investigation, such as Jialing River Basin Investigation, Hanzhong Basin Investigation, East Sichuan Geographical Investigation, Dabashan Mountain Geographical Investigation, and Northwest China Historical Geographical Investigation. Based on these investigations they completed a large number of geographical papers and other publications. The institute launched two important journals—Geography and Measurement. The Geography journal was the only continuously published quarterly during the China's War Against Japanese Aggression. This institute has also brought up numerous geography professionals, such as Lin Chao, Zhou Lisan, Zhou Tingru, Guo Lingzhi, Shi Yafeng, Wu Chuanjun, Xia Jianbai, Wang Zhizhuo, and conducted fruitful scientific research. All of these lay a solid foundation for the development of contemporary geography in the People's Republic of China.