In the ancient geographical concept of China, "Central Plains" is a very important regional noun. It is not only a concept of geographical scope, but also a symbol of culture and politics. The Central Plains region is the birthplace of Chinese civilization and also the center of ancient Chinese politics, economy, and culture. So, what areas does the ancient Central Plains refer to? This article will take you to understand the geographical scope of the ancient Central Plains.

The term "Central Plains" was first seen in "Shangshu Yugong", which means "the center of heaven and earth", referring to the central region of the world. In ancient times, the Central Plains mainly referred to the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, including most of today's Henan Province, western Shandong Province, southern Hebei Province, and eastern Shaanxi Province. This area has a flat terrain, fertile land, suitable climate, and sufficient water resources, which is very suitable for agricultural production. Therefore, it has been a region with a large population and developed economy since ancient times.

In addition to the geographical scope, the Central Plains also has profound cultural connotations. As the birthplace of Chinese civilization, the Central Plains region has nurtured rich historical and cultural heritage. Many important ancient dynasties were born here, such as Shang, Zhou, and Han, leaving numerous historical and cultural attractions, such as Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang and Yinxu in Anyang. These cultural heritages witness the glory of ancient Chinese civilization and make the Central Plains one of the representatives of Chinese civilization.

However, with the changes of history and the alternation of dynasties, the scope of the Central Plains region has also undergone certain changes. In different historical periods, the boundaries of the Central Plains have expanded or contracted. For example, during the Qin and Han dynasties, the scope of the Central Plains region expanded to the Yangtze River Basin; while during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, due to frequent wars, the scope of the Central Plains region shrunk somewhat. Overall, however, the core area of the ancient Central Plains has always been the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.

In summary, the ancient Central Plains generally refers to the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, including most of today's Henan Province, western Shandong Province, southern Hebei Province, and eastern Shaanxi Province. This region is not only the birthplace of Chinese civilization but also the center of ancient Chinese politics, economy, and culture. Although the scope of the Central Plains region has changed in different historical periods, its core area has always been the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The historical and cultural heritage of this region is still praised by the world today and has become an important representative of Chinese civilization.

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