提 要：中国古代南北存在着地区上的差异，而这种差异大致是以淮河为分界的。本文从气候、农作类型、九州四渎和分裂时期南北对峙等4个方面，论证淮河在中国古代为南北方分界的地位。认为：淮河南北气候的不同，奠定了南北差异的自然地理基础。建立在这一基础上的农作类型的不同，为南北人文差异提供了物质条件。淮河在九州中的分界特征，对秦以后的行政区划影响深远。淮河在四渎中自然标识特征的突出，使其更有资格成为南北的分界线。同时，在分裂时期的南北对峙局面出现时，淮河多为分界线或准分界线。以上多种因素在长期历史中形成了淮河的分界地位，这对关于中国古代大一统疆域的考察有深刻的意义。

关键词：淮河 中国 古代 南北方分界

Title: On the Dividing Line Founction of the Huaihe River for the South and the Northin Ancient China

Author:Sheng Xianfeng, Associate Professor, Department of history, Anhui University, Hefei 230039

Abstract: The south and the north in ancient China were approximately divided by the Huaihe River. This article discusses the function of the Huaihe River as the dividing line of the south and north, focusing on the climate, type of agriculture, the conception of Jiuzhou(九州, nine regions) and Sidu(四渎, four major rivers) and the equipollence of the south with the north in abruption ages. It argues that the climate differences of the south and the north laid out the basic condition for the physical and geographic diversity of these two parts. The different types of cultivation, further provided material grounds for the cultural differences between the south and the north. The dividing fouction of the Huaihe River in the nine region system profoundly influenced the drawing of the the post-Qin administrative maps. The distinctive position of the Huaihe River as a natural watershed within the four major river system made it more qualified as the dividing line between the south and the north. In most confronting times in history, Huaihe River actually and commonly founctioned as the dividing line or close to it. For these reasons, the Huaihe River should be considered as a important and particular element in the examination of Chineses history.

Key words: Huaihe River China Ancient times dividing line of the south and thenorth