新概念早讀英語(yǔ)初中版 第21期:美國(guó)最小的州

The Smallest State in America

美國(guó)最小的州

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in America,

羅德島也許是美國(guó)最小的州,

but it has an exciting history.

但它有一段很有意思的歷史。

A colonist named Roger Williams

一個(gè)叫羅杰.威廉斯的殖民開(kāi)拓者

started the first permanent settlement there in1636.

于1636年在這里建立了第一個(gè)永久性殖民地。

Like other early Americans,

同其他早期移民一樣,

he had come to America to seek religious freedom.

他踏上美國(guó)是為了尋求宗教自由。

But Williams could not practice his religion in Massachusetts,

然而他無(wú)法在馬薩諸塞州從事宗教活動(dòng),

so he left and started a settlement he called Providence

只得離開(kāi)那里,建立了一個(gè)他命名為普羅威登斯的殖民地。

Williams and his fellows

威廉斯和他的追隨者

acquired land from the American Indians in the areas,and the colony grew rapidly.

從當(dāng)?shù)氐拿乐抻〉诎踩耸种蝎@得了土地,致使殖民地迅速發(fā)展起來(lái)。

The city Williams founded,Providence,

威廉斯創(chuàng)建的普羅威登斯城

is now the capital of Rhode Island and the state's largest city.

如今是羅德島的首府,也是該州最大的城市。

When Williams lived there,Providence was a farming town.

而威廉斯在世時(shí),普羅威登斯還是一座以農(nóng)業(yè)為主的小鎮(zhèn)

During the 18th century,it was a well-known shipping center.

18世紀(jì)時(shí),它逐漸發(fā)展成為聞名遐邇的航運(yùn)中心。

Today the city has a busy port and many different industries

今天,此城擁有一座繁忙的港口和諸多工業(yè)。

It is also the home of Brown University, one of the nation's oldest colleges.

它還是美國(guó)最古老的高等學(xué)府之一的布朗大學(xué)的所在地。

Rhode Island is a popular vacation area for Americans,

羅德島還是美國(guó)人最?lèi)?ài)的度假之地,

particularly New Englanders.

尤其對(duì)新英格蘭人來(lái)說(shuō)更是如此。

One well-known summer resort is Newport.

那里的新港是頗負(fù)盛名的避暑勝地。

Newport is famous for its beaches and mansions.

以其沙灘和富麗堂皇的別墅而著稱(chēng)。

Many wealthy fami- lies built summer homes in Newport in the 19th century.

19世紀(jì)時(shí),許多人錢(qián)人在新港建造了不少夏季別墅。

Visitors today to Newport can tour many of these elegant mansions

如今去新港度假的人可以參觀這些富麗堂皇的別墅，

and can enjoy the beach and many water activities.

并享受著那里的沙灘和各種各樣的水上運(yùn)動(dòng)。

Another very popular vacation spot in Rhode Island is Block Island.

羅德島另一個(gè)十分著名的度假點(diǎn)是布洛克島。

The Island,about nine miles south of the mainland,

這座島嶼位于美國(guó)大陸以南九公里處，

is famous for its beautiful scenery and excellent fishing.

以美麗如畫(huà)的風(fēng)景和繁榮的漁業(yè)而享譽(yù)美國(guó)。