当代地理学特征：发展趋势及中国地理学研究进展

地理学是一门研究地球表层自然要素与人文要素相互作用及其时空变化规律的科学，它广泛运用现代科学技术手段，具有跨越自然科学与社会科学的性质。面对当前全球变化和可持续发展的世界性科学问题，地理学家根据学科特点和领域优势，抓住机遇、迎接挑战。目前主要研究地球表层系统各界面间的物理、化学、生物及人文过程，探讨多种过程的相互作用机理，探求人类活动与资源环境间相互协调、可持续发展的规律。地理学以“格局—结构—过程—机理”的研究思路贯穿始终。随着新技术、新方法的使用以及观测资料的不断积累，实验测试数据质量的提高和数据量的增加，当今地理学的研究在空间尺度上同时向微观、宏观两个方向扩展，模型研究不断科学化，已具备现代科学的主要特征。总体上，表现为部门地理研究深化，区域综合研究加强。长期以来，中国地理学在自然地理的综合研究、地表自然过程研究、城市与区域发展研究，以及面向社会现实的应用基础研究等方面取得了较好进展。

CHARACTERISTICS AND TREND OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY AND PROGRESSES OF GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH IN CHINA

As a disciplinary of studying the spatial and temporal changing regulation of natural and human elements on the earth surface, geography has the attributes of natural science and social science. Facing the worldwide scientific problems of global change and sustainable development, geographers all over the world are taking the opportunities to meet the challenges. The present study fields include interfaces' physical, chemical, biological and human processes, the interaction mechanism of multiple processes, and regulations of coordination between human activities and environment. The train of thought pattern-structure-process-mechanism runs through modern geographical study. As the accumulation of onsite data and the use of high-tech and new methods, quality and quantity of experimental data have been improved. Modern geographical study is expanding to micro and macro scale. It has the main characteristics of modern science. Generally, branch geography study has been deepened and regional comprehensive study has been enhanced. After 1949, Chinese geographical study has made good progress in a comprehensive study of physical geography, land surface natural process study, urban and regional development study and some basic practical studies serving society.