The Iberian Peninsula 伊比利亚半岛
A world of cultures in one unique region
人文荟萃的独特地域
July 2
Some say that Europe stops at the Pyrenees Mountains ─ the snowcapped mountain range that acts like a natural fence separating France from the Iberian Peninsula. Even though the statement isn't accurate, visitors easily notice many features that make the Iberian Peninsula look and feel different from its neighbors to the north.
Spain and Portugal comprise the majority of the peninsula, with Gibraltar, Andorra and a small portion of France sharing the remainder. As the crossroads of Africa and Europe, the region has for centuries been a melting pot with many nations contributing to the area's interesting culture.
Britain, without the rain
At the southern tip of the peninsula lies Gibraltar, a British territory. English is the official language, fish and chips can be found with ease, and phone calls can even be made from London style red phone booths. Must-sees are the famous Rock of Gibraltar, which stands 426 m tall and is home to a centuries-old fortress and the Barbary apes, Gibraltar's most famous locals. Ride up the rock to Europa Point for breathtaking views of both Africa and Europe. You'll feel like you've reached the very edge of the European continent ─ and indeed you have!
有人说，欧洲止於庇里牛斯山脉──因为他们认为这道白雪覆盖的山脉，宛如天然屏障般，把伊比利亚半岛和法国隔开。虽然这话说得并不正确，但无论是在外观上或是感觉起来，外来访客的确不难发现让伊比利亚半岛和其北方邻国显得截然不同的许多特徵。
西班牙和葡萄牙占据了这座半岛的绝大部份面积，其余土地则由直布罗陀、安道尔和一小部份法国领土所瓜分。作为非洲和欧洲的交接地带，数世纪以来，这处地域成了吸纳各国文化的大熔炉，人文荟萃，引人入胜。
少了雨的英国（译注：英国以多雨着称，此形容直布罗陀和英国很像，但少了雨）
直布罗陀位在半岛最南端，为英国属地，因此英语是官方语言，而炸鱼和薯条（译注：为英国传统食物）更是比比皆是，甚至还可以在伦敦式的红色电话亭里打电话呢。必看景点包括了海拔四百廿六公尺的直布罗陀岩山，山上不但有几世纪前建造的古老堡垒，还住着巴巴里猕猴这种直布罗陀最着名的土生动物。搭车登上岩山後，可以去「欧洲点」（译注：位於岩山顶端），因为在这儿可以同时欣赏到非洲和欧洲的景观，令人叹为观止，你会感觉自己好像身处在欧洲大陆的边际──而事实上也的确如此！
peninsula (n) 半岛
My grandparents live in Miami, which is located at the southern end of the Florida peninsula.
remainder (n) 剩余物；其余之物
You can take three dozen cookies to school tomorrow, and we'll keep the remainder here at home.
melting pot (n) 文化熔炉
fortress (n) 堡垒；要塞
Our tour group climbed all 458 steps to the top of the ancient fortress.
breathtaking (adj) 惊人的；令人屏息的
The breathtaking beauty of a sunset is hard to capture in a photograph.
Teaching Topic: Culturally Diverse 教学主题： 文化多樣的
multicultural：具有多种文化的
culturally diverse：文化多样的
pluralistic：多元的
ethnic group：族群（拥有自己的语言，习俗）；race：种族（肤色，眼睛的颜色，骨骼就是不同人种）
peninsula (n) 半岛
There's a lighthouse on the peninsula.
这个半岛上有一座灯塔。
Seoul is the largest city on the Korean Peninsula.
首尔是朝鲜半岛最大的城市。
remainder (n) 剩余物；其余之物
It was sunny for an hour this morning, but the remainder of the day has been rainy.
天气只有在早上放晴了一个小时，其他时间整天都在下雨。
The remainder of the food was kept in the fridge.
剩下的食物存放在冰箱里。
melting pot (n) 文化熔炉
New York City is a melting pot of many races.
纽约市是许多种族的大熔炉。
Fusion food is a melting pot of cuisines from many cultures.
无国界料理是许多文化的料理的融合体。
July 3
Catalonia, Spain
One of the most unique regions in all of the Iberian Peninsula is Catalonia, Spain, with its own culture, cuisine and language ─ Catalan. Located along Spain's northeastern coastline, Catalonia consists of four provinces, including the regional capital city of Barcelona.
At one time, around 1,000 castles stood in Catalonia. Though many now lie in ruins, several of the remaining castles still stand around Barcelona. One such piece of history is Montjuic Castle, a medieval castle that houses two museums and offers impressive views of the city and harbor below.
No trip to Barcelona is complete without seeing La Sagrada Familia, the city's awe-inspiring church that has been under construction since 1882. Barcelona's favorite son and famous architect, Antoni Gaudi directed the project for 40 years, until his death in 1926. With construction ongoing, it is hoped that the church will be completed in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death in 2026.
"The pride of Spain"
Don't leave Catalonia without sampling Spain's legendary ham, Jamon Iberico de Bellota. The ham is produced mainly from Iberian black pigs whose diet consists mostly of acorns, which give the meat its rich, nutty flavor.
西班牙加泰隆尼亚
西班牙的加泰隆尼亚是伊比利亚半岛上最独一无二的地区之一，因为它拥有自己独特的文化、烹调方式，及语言──加泰隆尼亚语。盘踞在西班牙东北海岸线的加泰隆尼亚，共有四个省（译注：四省的省会与省同名），还包括区域性首府巴塞隆纳市（译注：为加泰隆尼亚自治区首府及巴塞隆纳省省会）。
加泰隆尼亚一度曾矗立着约一千座城堡，虽然如今许多仅存断垣残壁，但仍有几座城堡矗立在巴塞隆纳四周，而蒙特惠克城堡即是这些历史遗迹之一。这座中世纪城堡内有两座博物馆，在此还能欣赏到下方市区和海港的动人景致。
造访巴塞隆纳，却未亲眼见到圣家堂，就称不上不虚此行，该市令人叹为观止的这座教堂，自一八八二年起一直持续动工。巴塞隆纳备受爱戴的着名建筑设计师安东尼?高第主导整个建筑方案长达四十年之久，直到他於一九二六年鞠躬尽瘁辞世为止。至今仍持续建造中的这座教堂，据信可望赶在二０二六年高第逝世一百周年前及时完工。
「西班牙的骄傲」
离开加泰隆尼亚前，一定要先嚐嚐西班牙着名生火腿「顶级伊比利亚生火腿」的滋味。这种生火腿主要由伊比利亚黑猪肉制成，由於这种猪的主食是橡子，因此肉质带有浓郁的核果风味。（译注：Jamon意思类似英文的ham，但此种生火腿往往以猪的後腿肉制成，由於原料猪只以橡子喂食，品质优於其他猪肉，因此火腿等级的最顶级便以bellota称之，即「橡子」之意）
province (n) 省
Quebec is a largely French-speaking province in eastern Canada.
medieval (adj) 中世纪的
While Sam was in Europe, he toured several villages that dated back to medieval times.
awe-inspiring (adj) 令人惊叹的；令人敬畏的
Beethoven wrote some of the most awe-inspiring music of all time.
favorite son (n) 地方上备受爱戴者；地方上的名人
ongoing (adj) 正在进行的
The project is ongoing and may not be finished for another year.
acorn (n) 橡实；橡子
Grammar Tip
One such piece of history is Montjuic Castle, a medieval castle that houses two museums and offers impressive views of the city and harbor below.
前文提到这个地方曾有上百座古堡耸立，接下来就要举例，深入介绍了，one such piece of history is...这是种展现写作层次感的写法。以后除了用for example之外，也可以用这种说法。
One such piece of music is "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," the Beatles' song that changed rock music forever.
One such person is Barack Obama, who made history as the first black person to be elected president of the U.S.
Bradley believes there is no such thing as a free lunch; everything comes with a price.
We need a secretary who can speak English, Chinese and Japanese; where can we find such a person?
Teaching Topic: On the Go 教学主题：到处奔波
on the go：到处奔波，如His boss always keeps him on the go.
stay put：留在原地，如I am staying put this year. I don't have any money for travels.
go-getter：积极能干，积极进取的人
go all out：好不保留，放手一搏
go it alone：自己来，自己动手
awe-inspiring (adj) 令人惊叹的；令人敬畏的
The awe-inspiring view of Niagara Falls amazes countless visitors.
尼加拉瀑布令人惊叹的美景使许多的参观者惊叹。
We sat on the beach to admire the awe-inspiring sunset.
我们坐在沙滩上欣赏令人惊叹的美景。
favorite son (n) 地方上备受爱戴者；地方上的名人
favorite daughter
YaoMing, favorite son of China, is now playing for the Houston Rockets.
中国之光姚明目前为休斯顿火箭队效力。
一州所推出的政党候选人
ongoing (adj) 正在进行的
Negotiations between the bus company and the union are ongoing.
通运公司和工会的协商还在进行中。
The experiment is part of ongoing research of human behavior.
这项实验是正在进行中的人类行为研究的一部分。
July 4
Good things come in small sizes
One of the oldest nations in Europe is the tiny country of Andorra, with an area of only 468 square kilometers. Nestled in a basin ringed by majestic mountain peaks, Andorra displays an almost fairy-tale quality. Great skiing, beautiful scenery and duty-free shopping attract more than 10 million visitors annually to this tiny country in the northeast corner of the Iberian Peninsula.
Discover Portugal
During the 16th century, Portuguese explorers sailed around the world, looking for new lands to conquer. Today, visitors flock to what used to be called "the Iberian Peninsula's best-kept secret" ─ sunny Portugal.
Built on seven hills, the capital city of Lisbon offers sensational views of land and sea. Visitors marvel at the city's mixture of modern shops, restaurants and medieval monuments, such as the famous sixth-century St. George's Castle.
Each year, thousands of tourists visit one of Europe's most popular coastal areas, Portugal's Algarve. Over 100 km of beautiful coastline make Algarve a beach-lover's paradise!
If what you are looking for is an international experience, then make the Iberian Peninsula your next destination and lose yourself in its world of cultures.
小就是美
安道尔是欧洲最古老的国家之一，为面积仅四百六十八平方公里的弹丸之地。安道尔由於座落在盆地内，四周又有重山环绕，而染上了几近童话般的色彩。绝佳的滑雪胜地、美仑美奂的风景，外加免税购物，每年都吸引了超过一千万名游客前来伊比利亚半岛东北角的这个蕞尔小国寻幽访胜。
发现葡萄牙
十六世纪期间，葡萄牙探险家出海远航全世界，寻找有待征服的处女地。时至今日，各地游客却蜂拥而至造访这个昔日有「伊比利亚半岛最高机密」之称的土地──阳光灿烂的葡萄牙。
首都里斯本横跨七座山丘，海陆景色尽收眼底。市区内现代化商店、餐厅和如着名的第六世纪圣乔治城堡等中世纪遗迹夹杂林立，令游客惊奇不已。
每年都有数以千计的游客前来葡萄牙的阿尔加夫一游，这是全欧最受欢迎的海岸地带，绵延超过一百公里的优美海岸线，使阿尔加夫成为海滩客眼中的天堂！
如果你希望能出国增广见闻，不妨选伊比利亚半岛作为下次旅游的目的地，让自己忘我地徜徉在多元文化的世界中吧。
nestle (v) 座落於；舒适地安顿下来
Nestled under a warm blanket, the kitten fell sound asleep.
duty-free (adj) 免税的
sensational (adj) 非常好的；引起轰动的
The author has written a sensational new book about his journey across Africa.
marvel (v) 大感惊奇；大为惊异
During each show, the audience marvels at the tricks the magician performs.
destination (n)目的地；终点
Sandy is interested in a beach destination for her next vacation, but her husband likes the mountains.
Teaching Topic: Going on An Excursion 教学主题：远足去
excursion：远足，短途旅行
off the beaten path：一道凛然不寻常的路线
on the fly = spontaneous：匆忙的，随即的
duty-free (adj) 免税的
She bought many duty-free items on the flight back home.
她在返乡的飞行中买了许多的免税商品。
Hong Kong is the duty free region.
香港是个免税的地区。
The company provides duty-free shopping online.
这家公司提供免税的商品购物。
sensational (adj) 非常好的；引起轰动的
Kevin's sensational new convertible attracts a lot of attention.
Kevin那台超炫的新跑车引人注目。
She looked sensational after she lost weight.
她减肥之后开起来漂亮极了。
destination (n)目的地；终点
The destination of this flight is Washington DC.
这班班机的目的地是华盛顿特区。
When we reached our destination we were tired and hungry.
我们到达目的地的时候已经又饿又累了。
目标
His future destination is becoming a scientist.
他未来的目标是成为一位科学家。
