Abstract: As a branch subject of geography, historical geography puts the emphasis on the relationship between human and environment in historical period. In the arid areas of west China, the major issues of historical geography are to research the impacts of human activities on the natural environment and the role of human playing in the evolution process of the natural environment. The great development of west China provides a new opportunity for the development of historical geography. In the arid areas of west China, Xinjiang is a region where the environment is most sensitive. It can provides the theoretic basis for the great development of west China to research the relationship between human and development and evolution of the regional environment as well as human geography in the historical period so as to achieve a sustainable development of the natural resources and the environment in west China.

Key words: historical geography, Xinjiang, human-environment relationship, great development of west China