In the modern history of the world, the concept of "geographical hub" of the world was first put forward by a British geographer named Mackinder, that is, the "world island" theory often mentioned in the literature. It established the geostrategic theory.

Mackinder believes that the world can be divided into several big islands, Europe, Asia, North and South America and Australia (Oceania), among which Europe and Asia are not world islands, and Eurasia, which is located at the top of the world islands, is the heart of the world. This heartland probably starts from Yenisei River in Russia in the east, reaches the Eastern European Plain in the west, and includes the Mongolian Plateau, Iranian Plateau, Kashmir and other places in the south. Mackinder has three famous sayings: whoever rules the plains of Eastern Europe will control people's hearts; Whoever rules the heart zone will control the world island; Whoever rules the world island will rule the world.