我国古地理学的形成、发展与展望

古地理学是研究地质历史时期自然地理特征及其演化的科学，是一门综合性很强的地球科学。我国的古地理学来源于古生物学、地层学、大地构造学和沉积岩石学等，现巳形成生物古地理学、地层古地理学、大地构造古地理学、沉积古地理学或岩相古地理学等分支学科。在古地理学的研究成果中，古地理图是首要的。有各种类型的古地理图，如较小比例尺的和较大比例尺的、定性为主的和定量为主的、当今界限的和非当今界限的等。我国的古地理学有几个比较明显的发展过程和趋势．如从单一到综合，从粗放到精细，从理论到应用，一些新的学术观点和方法论相继出现，一些现代地理学、沉积学、生物学和气候学的研究思路和成果将影响和促进古地理学的发展。《古地理学报)是我国古地理学发展到当今阶段的必然产物，它的任务是促进我国古地理学的持续发展和创新，并迎接百花争艳硕果累累的盛世早日到来。

ORIGIN, DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE OF PALAEOGEOGRAPHY OF CHINA

Palaeogeography is the science about the characteristics and evolution of natural geographic environments in geological history and is a highly comprehensive branch of geoscience. Palaeogeography of China originates from palaeontology, stratigraphy, tectonics, sedimentary petrology etc., and has evolved into several branches such as palaeontological palaeogeography, stratigraphical palaeogeography, tectonic palaeogeography, sedimentary palaeogeography or lithofacies palaeogeography etc. . In the achievements of palaeogeography, palaeogeography maps are most important. There are many types of palaeogeography maps: some are drawn in large scale, and some in small scale; some are qualitative, and some are quantitative ; some are with present boundaries, and some are with nonpresent boundaries. Palaeogeography of China shows several obvious processes and trends of development, such as from single to comprehensive, from coarse to fine, from theory to application. Some new academic points of view and new methodology appear in succession. Some study methods and achievements of modern geography, sedimentology, palaeontology and climatology will influence and promote development of palaeogeography. The Journal of Palaeogeography is the inevitable outcome of the present development stage of palaeogeography of China. Its task is to promote the continuous development and innovation of palaeogeography of China, and welcome the early arrival of prosperity of palaeogeography.