自然的河流是人类文明的摇篮,人工的运河则是人类文明的杰作。在中华民族的历史上,能够与长城并列的伟大创举,首推大运河。开凿运河的初衷,常常是出于经济、政治或军事上的考虑,运河也确实在这些方面发挥了重要的作用。从古至今,世界各国人民开凿了许多运河,沿岸的城市举不胜举。运河城市与运河的关系是血脉相连,可以说,运河养育了沿河的城市。千百年来,运河在航运、灌溉、防洪、改善生态环境等方面发挥了重要的作用,促进了沿河城市的发展和繁荣。运河还催生和哺育了一批新兴的城市。运河沿 The natural river is the cradle of human civilization, and the artificial canal is the masterpiece of human civilization. In the history of the Chinese nation, the great Grand Canal can be devalued with its great pioneering work alongside the Great Wall. The original intention of digging the canal was often out of economic, political or military considerations, and the canal did play an important role in these areas. Since ancient times, many people of all countries in the world have dug many canals, and the cities along the coast are endless. The relationship between the canal city and the canal is linked by blood. It can be said that the canal has nourished the city along the river. For thousands of years, the canal has played an important role in shipping, irrigation, flood control and improving the ecological environment, and has promoted the development and prosperity of the cities along the river. The canal also spawned and nurtured a number of emerging cities. Canal along