中國是世界上公認發(fā)明指南針的國家。早在2400多年前，中國人就創(chuàng)造出世界上最早的指南針。后來經(jīng)過不斷改進，到宋朝(the Song Dynasty)人們制造出鐵針指南針并應(yīng)用于航海。中國是第一個在海船上使用指南針的國家。指南針為明代(the Ming Dynasty)鄭和下西洋提供了條件。后來指南針傳入歐洲，推動了歐洲航海事業(yè)的發(fā)展為，哥倫布(Columbus)的航行提供了技術(shù)保證。

China?is universally recognized as?the country having invented the compass. As early as 2,400 years ago, Chinese people created the earliest compass in the world. Later it?was further improved?continuously. During the Song Dynasty, people produced the compass with iron needles and?applied?it?in?navigation. China?is the first country to?use the compass on seagoing ships. The compass?provided aid for?Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean in the Ming Dynasty. Later the compass?spread into?Europe,?promoting the development of?the European marine industry and?guaranteeing technical support for Columbus' navigation.