1. Department of Business and Adminstration, Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management, Zhenzhou 450015, China;
2. College of Geographical Science and Planning, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Abstract：Cultural front is a phenomenon formed when two kinds of different characteristic cultures meet, which is transitional strip between two kinds of social air mass. At the beginning, it appeared as a symbolic word. Later, it becomes more and more frequent regardless in general articles or in specialized thesis. It has many distinguishing features such as heterogeneity, dynamic, complexity and regional nature.
There are many ways on classifying the cultural front. On the basis of its genesis, it can be divided into topographic cultural front, climatic cultural front, social cultural front, economic cultural front, political cultural front, etc. On the basis of pattern, it can be divided into synchronic cultural front and diachronic cultural front. On the basis of factor, it can be divided into land using cultural front, architectural cultural front, Language cultural front, religion cultural front, folk cultural front, dietetic cultural front, and so on. On the basis of evolutive process, it can be divided into relative motionless cultural front and dissipating cultural front. Being compared with cultural transitional region (strip) or cultural boundary (interface), cultural front is not only figurative and popular, but also accurate on expression and rich in connotation. On the one hand, cultural front connects closely with traditional themes of cultural geography, such as cultural region, cultural diffusion, cultural ecology, cultural integration and cultural landscape. On the other hand, they are independent on each other. Therefore, it can be the sixth theme of cultural geography.
There is great theoretic and realistic significance of study on cultural front. At first, it consummates and enriches the fields of cultural geography. Secondly, the background of globalization needs deep study on cultural front. Thirdly, the study on cultural front is benefit to the preservation of cultural variety. At last, the study of cultural front can provide cultural industry with consultation.
