新概念早讀英語初中版 第21期:美國最小的州

The Smallest State in America

美國最小的州

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in America,

羅德島也許是美國最小的州,

but it has an exciting history.

但它有一段很有意思的歷史。

A colonist named Roger Williams

一個叫羅杰.威廉斯的殖民開拓者

started the first permanent settlement there in1636.

于1636年在這里建立了第一個永久性殖民地。

Like other early Americans,

同其他早期移民一樣,

he had come to America to seek religious freedom.

他踏上美國是為了尋求宗教自由。

But Williams could not practice his religion in Massachusetts,

然而他無法在馬薩諸塞州從事宗教活動,

so he left and started a settlement he called Providence

只得離開那里,建立了一個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?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。

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,普羅威登斯還是一座以農業(yè)為主的小鎮(zhèn)

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

18世紀時,它逐漸發(fā)展成為聞名遐邇的航運中心。

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.

它還是美國最古老的高等學府之一的布朗大學的所在地。

Rhode Island is a popular vacation area for Americans,

羅德島還是美國人最愛的度假之地,

particularly New Englanders.

尤其對新英格蘭人來說更是如此。

One well-known summer resort is Newport.

那里的新港是頗負盛名的避暑勝地。

Newport is famous for its beaches and mansions.

以其沙灘和富麗堂皇的別墅而著稱。

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

19世紀時,許多人錢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動。

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

羅德島另一個十分著名的度假點是布洛克島。

The Island,about nine miles south of the mainland,

這座島嶼位于美國大陸以南九公里處，

is famous for its beautiful scenery and excellent fishing.

以美麗如畫的風景和繁榮的漁業(yè)而享譽美國。