中國的廣闊領(lǐng)土包括高原、平原、盆地、丘陵和山脈。高原、丘陵和山脈占據(jù)了將近三分之二的土地面積,西部較高而東部較低,就像三步走的階梯。典型的:“梯形地勢”(ladder topography)的最高一層是由平均高度為4 000米的青藏高原構(gòu)成。第二層是巨大的盆地和高原。大部分為1 000米至2 000米高。第三層富有廣闊的平原,點綴著丘陵和低矮的山脈,海拔(altitude)高于500米。
China’s vast territory includes plateaus, plains, basins, foothills, and mountains. Plateaus, foothills and mountains occupy nearly two-thirds of the land, higher in the West and lower in the East like a three-step ladder. The highest step of the typical “ladder topography” is formed by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with an average height of over 4 000 meters. On the second step are large basins and plateaus, most of which are 1 000-2 000 meters high. The third step, abundant in broad plains, is dotted with foothills and lower mountains, with altitudes of over 500 meters.