关键词: 长江流域, 黄河流域, 珠江流域, 自然区划

Abstract: In the late eighteenth century, a new method of natural division appeared in Western geography, and in the works of Western scholars, the natural division of China also appeared, but the eighteen inland provinces and border areas were often separated or introduced side by side, and the natural divisions were limited to the eighteen inland provinces. Absorbing Western knowledge, Japan also divided the eighteen inland provinces into “North, South, Central. ” This method of division, combined with the three major rivers of “Yangtze River, Yellow River and Pearl River”, and evolved into “Central Yangtze River Basin”, “Northern Yellow River Basin” and “Southern Pearl River Basin”. This concept was introduced into China by many Japanese translations and became popular in the late Qing Dynasty’s local chronicles about China. At the same time, due to the efforts of Liang Qichao and others, this knowledge combined with the concept of civilization and history, integrated with the trend of nationalism, and expanded its influence.