关键词: 西沙群岛, 历史地理, 科学考察

Abstract: The ancestors in South China discovered Xisha Islands in the Late Neolitic Age.Over the past several thousand years, people in South China sailed to Xisha Islands by taking the advantage of monsoons.There they fished for aquatic products, resided temporarily, dug wells to get drinkable water, and cultivated barren lands.They are the real masters of Xisha Islands.Before 12th century, all coral reefs in the South China Sea was named "Qitou", "Shitang", or "Changsha".Xisha Islands was called "Jiuruluoshi" in 11th century, "Jiuruozhou" in Ming and Qinq Dynasty.In 1909 it was names Xisha Islands.The seas around Xisha Islands seas was named as "Qizhouyang" since 13th century.Since Han Dynasty, Chinese goverment of every dynasty has sent navy to this region patrolling sea territory, protecting border sea, and reassuring the public security.Since at least Tang Dynasty, Chinese government has included Xisha Islands to the jurisdiction of Hainan Island local government.Since Qing Dynasty, Chinese governments included Xisha Islands in the map of China,and in 1946, a local regulation office, Xisha Islands Administration Office, was established in Yongxing Island.In 1959, an administration office for Xisha Islands, Nansha Islands, and Zhongsha Islands was established in Yongxing Island.Since 1988 this office has been under the leadership of the Hainan provincial government.Chinese ancestors had their descriptions about the topography, the material, the ecology and the produce of the coral reefs in South China Sea.In modern times, scientific investigarions to Xisha Islands have been taken successively in 1928 and 1947.These investigations were mainly about the terrene, and acquired abundant information.The contemporary scientific expeditions to Xisha Islands have been carried out continually since 1973, and these investigations have included both ocean and land, involving oceanology, marine biology, marine geology, geology, geophysics, Quaternary geology, engineering geology, geomorphology, biology, soil science, geography et al., and gained a lot of scientific achievements.

Key words: Xisha Islands, Historical grography, Scientific expeditions