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Описание штата Калифорния — текст + аудио
Два текста о Калифорнии с аудио и переводом. Уровень pre-intermediate
Калифорния является домом для огромного разнообразия природных сред и культурных влияний. Внутри южной части штата много пустынь. В центральной долине многие фермы выращивают огромное количество фруктов и овощей. Многие богатые люди живут в пригородах, таких как Беверли-Хиллз. Известны также холмистые улицы Сан-Франциско и троллейбусы, которые курсируют по ним.
California
Безусловно, самым густонаселенным штатом США является Калифорния. Калифорния, расположенная в юго-западном углу Соединенных Штатов, является домом для большого разнообразия природных сред и культурных влияний. В 2000 году в Калифорнии проживало более 33 миллионов человек.
California’s many mountains and valleys produce a wide variety of climates and natural regions. In the interior, southeastern parts of the state are many areas of desert. For example, Death Valley, which is so deep that it is below sea level, is extremely dry. Temperatures in Death Valley sometimes exceed 50 degrees Celsius. Other valleys are more pleasant and hospitable places. In the central valley, many farms grow vast amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Множество гор и долин Калифорнии создают самые разные климатические условия и природные регионы. Внутри юго-восточной части штата много пустынь. Например, Долина Смерти, которая настолько глубока, что находится ниже уровня моря, чрезвычайно засушлива. Температура в Долине Смерти иногда превышает 50 градусов по Цельсию. Другие долины — более приятные и гостеприимные места. В центральной долине многие фермы выращивают огромное количество фруктов и овощей.
California also contains many tall, snow-covered mountains. On the slopes of some mountains are forests that have very large trees. Some of the giant redwood trees of California reach heights of 100 metres or more.
В Калифорнии также есть много высоких заснеженных гор. На склонах некоторых гор есть леса с очень большими деревьями. Некоторые из гигантских красных деревьев Калифорнии достигают высоты 100 метров и более.
Many of the cities in California have Spanish names. This is because many of those cities began as religious missions that were started by Spanish priests. Mexico owned California during the early nineteenth century, but few Mexican people lived there. The United States gained control of California during the 1840s, and the discovery of gold brought many Americans and others to California.
Многие города Калифорнии носят испанские названия. Это потому, что многие из этих городов начинались как религиозные миссии, которые были начаты испанскими священниками. Мексика владела Калифорнией в начале девятнадцатого века, но там жило мало мексиканцев. Соединенные Штаты получили контроль над Калифорнией в 1840-х годах, и открытие золота привело многих американцев и других людей в Калифорнию.
Today, California contains some of the largest cities in the United States. Within the greater Los Angeles area, one can find Hollywood, known as the movie capital of the world. Many rich people live in suburbs such as Beverly Hills, and many poor people live in other neighborhoods throughout the city. The Los Angeles area is home to over 15 million people, many of whom have immigrated to the United States from Mexico and from many Asian countries. Los Angeles is a very large city that has spread across a great area. As a consequence, the city has many traffic jams and air pollution, or smog, is sometimes a problem.
Сегодня в Калифорнии находятся одни из крупнейших городов США. В районе Большого Лос-Анджелеса находится Голливуд, известный как мировая столица кино. Многие богатые люди живут в пригородах, таких как Беверли-Хиллз, а многие бедняки живут в других районах города. В районе Лос-Анджелеса проживает более 15 миллионов человек, многие из которых иммигрировали в Соединенные Штаты из Мексики и многих азиатских стран. Лос-Анджелес — очень большой город, раскинувшийся на огромной территории. Как следствие, в городе много пробок, а загрязнение воздуха или смог иногда становится проблемой.
Further north is the city of San Francisco, one of the most beautiful cities of the United States. The image of the Golden Gate Bridge, which crosses the harbour of San Francisco, is famous around the world. Also famous are the hilly streets of San Francisco and the trolley cars that provide transportation along them. San Francisco’s Chinese community is one of the largest in North America, and the city also contains a vibrant artistic and cultural life. San Francisco was destroyed by an earthquake in 1906 and was damaged again in 1989.
Дальше на север находится город Сан-Франциско, один из самых красивых городов США. Образ моста Золотые Ворота, который пересекает гавань Сан-Франциско, известен во всем мире. Известны также холмистые улицы Сан-Франциско и троллейбусы, которые курсируют по ним. Китайская община Сан-Франциско — одна из крупнейших в Северной Америке, и в городе также кипит яркая художественная и культурная жизнь. Сан-Франциско был разрушен землетрясением в 1906 году и снова пострадал в 1989 году.
California has always had a special place in the imagination of Americans. This is hardly surprising, given the variety and diversity of this vast state!
Калифорния всегда занимала особое место в воображении американцев. В этом нет ничего удивительного, учитывая разнообразие и разнообразие этого огромного штата!
Калифорния; California — Топик по английскому языку
Тема по английскому языку: Калифорния
Топик по английскому языку: Калифорния (California). Данный текст может быть использован в качестве презентации, проекта, рассказа, эссе, сочинения или сообщения на тему.
Калифорния является наиболее населенным штатом США и третьим по величине после Аляски и Техаса.
Золотой штат
Ее также прозвали Золотым Штатом, а девиз калифорнийцев «Эврика!» означает «Я нашел!». И что бы вы ни искали, вы определенно найдете это в Калифорнии.
Население
В штате говорят более чем на 200 языках. Люди, приезжающие сюда со всех уголков земного шара делают Калифорнию одним из самых терпимых, свободным от предрассудков и открытых обществ на планете. Приветствуя людей, жители Калифорнии также приветствуют их культуру, образ жизни, язык и религию, и все эти разные культуры создают удивительную музыку, искусство, танцы, историю и праздники, не говоря уже о кухне.
Южная Калифорния
Южная Калифорния является поистине Меккой для тех, кто обожает путешествия, отдых на свежем воздухе, музыку, искусство и прочие развлечения. В действительности, практически все, что вы можете себе представить, можно найти в Южной Калифорнии.
Достопримечательности
В Калифорнии есть много мест, которые стоит увидеть. Мост Золотые Ворота в Сан-Франциско – один из величайших мостов в мире.
Калифорнийский Государственный Железнодорожный музей
Калифорнийский Государственный Железнодорожный музей в Сакраменто является главной старейшей достопримечательностью столицы штата. Среди прочих экспонатов в музее представлено более 24 локомотивов и железнодорожных составов.
Автомобильный музей Петерсена
Автомобильный музей Петерсена в Лос-Анджелесе является иконой города, чья уникальность и история неразрывно связана с автомобильной промышленностью.
Озеро Тахо
Озеро Тахо является крупнейшим в мире хранилищем пресной воды.
Йосемитский национальный парк
Йосемитский национальный парк является одним из самых красивых природных уголков на планете. На его территории расположены 3 из 10 существующих водопадов, величайший гранитный монолит на планете, а также одни из самых больших в мире деревьев.
Знаменитые жители
Множество знаменитостей жили или живут в Калифорнии. Среди них актриса и посол Ширли Темпл, сценарист Сидни Ховард, режиссер Джордж Лукас, американский президент Ричард Никсон, теннисистки сестры Уильямс и многие другие.
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California
State
California is the most populous state in the United States, and the third largest by land area, after Alaska and Texas.
Golden state
Its nickname is the Golden state and its motto is “Eureka!” which means “I have found it.” Whatever it is you’re looking for, you can surely find it here.
Population
More than 200 different languages are spoken in California. The arrival of people from every corner of the globe makes the state one of the most tolerant, cosmopolitan and open-minded societies on the planet. By welcoming people, Californians also welcome their culture, lifestyle, language and religion and all these different cultures create an undeniable variety of music, art, dance, histories and celebrations – not to mention cuisine.
Southern California
Southern California is a Mecca for those who enjoy travel, outdoor activities, music, art and a variety of other entertainment. In fact, most of what you can imagine can be found in Southern California.
Sightseeings
There’s a lot to see in California. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of the most famous bridges around the world.
California State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento is the largest old attraction in Sacramento. It exhibits almost two dozen locomotives and railroad cars, among other attractions.
Petersen Automotive Museum
Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is an icon for Los Angeles, a city whose identity and history is so together with the popularity of the automobile.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of the world’s best magnificent bodies of fresh water.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful natural places on the planet. It has 3 of the 10 tallest waterfalls on earth, the biggest granite monolith anywhere, and some of the world’s largest trees.
California
California, most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W).
Facts and Figures
Area, 158,693 sq mi (411,015 sq km). Pop. (2000) 33,871,648, a 13.8% increase since the 1990 census. Capital, Sacramento. Largest city, Los Angeles. Statehood, Sept. 9, 1850 (31st state). Highest pt., Mt. Whitney, 14,491 ft (4,417 m); lowest pt., Death Valley, 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. Nickname, Golden State. Motto, Eureka [I Have Found It]. State bird, California valley quail. State flower, golden poppy. State tree, California redwood. Abbr., Calif.; CA
Geography
Economy
California has an enormously productive economy, which for a nation would be one of the ten largest in the world. Although agriculture is gradually yielding to industry as the core of the state’s economy, California leads the nation in the production of fruits and vegetables, including carrots, lettuce, onions, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, and almonds. The state’s most valuable crops are grapes, cotton, flowers, and oranges; dairy products, however, contribute the single largest share of farm income, and California is again the national leader in this sector. The state also produces the major share of U.S. domestic wine. California’s farms are highly productive as a result of good soil, a long growing season, and the use of modern agricultural methods. Irrigation is critical, especially in the San Joaquin Valley and Imperial Valley. The gathering and packing of crops is done largely by seasonal migrant labor, primarily Mexicans. Fishing is another important industry.
Much of the state’s industrial production depends on the processing of farm produce and upon such local resources as petroleum, natural gas, lumber, cement, and sand and gravel. Since World War II, however, manufacturing, notably of electronic equipment, computers, machinery, transportation equipment, and metal products, has increased enormously. Defense industries, a base of the economy especially in S California, have declined following the end of the cold war, a serious blow to the state. But many high-tech companies and small low-tech, often low-wage, companies remain in S California, in what is said to be the largest manufacturing belt in the United States. Farther north, «Silicon Valley,» between Palo Alto and San Jose, so called because it is the nation’s leading producer of semiconductors, is also a focus of software development.
Government, Politics, and Higher Education
The state’s first constitution was adopted in 1849. The present constitution, dating from 1879, is noted for its provisions for public initiative and referendum—which have led at times to difficulties in governance—and for recall of public officials. The state’s executive branch is headed by a governor elected for a four-year term. California’s bicameral legislature has a senate with 40 members and an assembly with 80 members. The state elects 2 senators and 52 representatives to the U.S. Congress and has 54 electoral votes. In the 1980s and 1990s, California elected Republican governors—George Deukemejian (1982, 1986) and Pete Wilson (1990, 1994)— before the Democrat Gray Davis was elected in 1998 (and reelected in 2002). In 2003, Davis was recalled and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to succeed him. In 1992, California became the first state to simultaneously elect two women to the U.S. Senate—Democrats Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.
History
European Exploration and Colonization
In 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza founded San Francisco, where he established a military outpost. The early colonists, called the Californios, lived a pastoral life and for the most part were not interfered with by the central government of New Spain (as the Spanish empire in the Americas was called) or later (1820s) by that of Mexico. The Californios did, however, become involved in local politics, as when Juan Bautista Alvarado led a revolt (1836) and made himself governor of Alta California, a position he later persuaded the Mexicans to let him keep. Under Mexican rule the missions were secularized (1833-34) and the Native Americans released from their servitude. The degradation of Native American peoples, which continued under Mexican rule and after U.S. settlers came to the area, was described by Helen Hunt Jackson in her novel Ramona (1884). Many mission lands were subsequently given to Californios, who established the great ranchos, vast cattle-raising estates. Colonization of California remained largely Mexican until the 1840s.
Russian and U.S. Settlement
The Gold Rush
Statehood and Immigration
With the gold rush came a huge increase in population and a pressing need for civil government. In 1849, Californians sought statehood and, after heated debate in the U.S. Congress arising out of the slavery issue, California entered the Union as a free, nonslavery state by the Compromise of 1850. San Jose became the capital. Monterey, Vallejo, and Benicia each served as the capital before it was moved to Sacramento in 1854. In 1853, Congress authorized the survey of a railroad route to link California with the eastern seaboard, but the transcontinental railroad was not completed until 1869. In the meantime communication and transportation depended upon ships, the stagecoach, the pony express, and the telegraph.
Chinese laborers were imported in great numbers to work on railroad construction. The Burlingame Treaty of 1868 provided, among other things, for unrestricted Chinese immigration. That was at first enthusiastically endorsed by Californians; but after a slump in the state’s shaky economy, the white settlers viewed the influx of the lower-paid Chinese laborers as an economic threat. Ensuing bitterness and friction led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
A railroad-rate war (1884) and a boom in real estate (1885) fostered a new wave of overland immigration. Cattle raising on the ranchos gave way to increased grain production. Vineyards were planted by 1861, and the first trainload of oranges was shipped from Los Angeles in 1886.
Industrialization and Increased Settlement
By the turn of the century the discovery of oil, industrialization resulting from the increase of hydroelectric power, and expanding agricultural development attracted more settlers. Los Angeles grew rapidly in this period and, in population, soon surpassed San Francisco, which suffered greatly after the great earthquake and fire of 1906. Improvements in urban transportation stimulated the growth of both Los Angeles and San Francisco; the advent of the cable car and the electric railway made possible the development of previously inaccessible areas.
As industrious Japanese farmers acquired valuable land and a virtual monopoly of California’s truck-farming operations, the issue of Asian immigration again arose. The bitter struggle for the exclusion of Asians plagued international relations, and in 1913 the California Alien Land Act was passed despite President Woodrow Wilson’s attempts to block it. The act provided that persons ineligible for U.S. citizenship could not own agricultural land in California.
Successive waves of settlers arrived in California, attracted by a new real-estate boom in the 1920s and by the promise of work in the 1930s. The influx during the 1930s of displaced farm workers, depicted by John Steinbeck in his novel The Grapes of Wrath, caused profound dislocation in the state’s economy. During World War II the Japanese in California were removed from their homes and placed in relocation centers. Industry in California expanded rapidly during the war; the production of ships and aircraft attracted many workers who later settled in the state.
Growing Pains and Natural Disasters
Prosperity and rapid population growth continued after the war. Many African Americans who came during World War II to work in the war industries settled in California. By the 1960s they constituted a sizable minority in the state, and racial tensions reached a climax. In 1964, California voters approved an initiative measure, Proposition 14, allowing racial discrimination in the sale or rental of housing in the state, a measure later declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1965 riots broke out in Watts, a predominantly black section of Los Angeles, touching off a wave of riots across the United States. Also in the 1960s migrant farm workers in California formed a union and struck many growers to obtain better pay and working conditions. Unrest also occurred in the state’s universities, especially the Univ. of California at Berkeley, where student demonstrations and protests in 1964 provoked disorders.
During the 1970s and 80s California continued to grow rapidly, with a major shift of population to the state’s interior. The metropolitan areas of Riverside-San Bernardino, Modesto, Stockton, Bakersfield, and Sacramento were among the fastest growing in the nation during the 1980s. Much of the state’s population growth was a result of largely illegal immigration from Mexico; there was also a heavy infux of immigrants from China, the Philippines, and SE Asia.
In a backlash against illegal immigration, California voters in 1994 approved Proposition 187, an initiative barring the state from providing most services—including welfare, education, and nonemergency medical care—to illegal immigrants. Federal courts found much of Proposition 187 unconstitutional; the appeal of their rulings was dropped in 1999, at a time when the state’s economy had rebounded and a Democratic administration was in Sacramento.
In late 2000, California began experiencing an electricity crisis as insufficient generating capacity and increasing short-term wholesale prices for power squeezed the state’s two largest public utilities, who, under the «deregulation» plan they had agreed to in the early 1990s, were not allowed to pass along their increased costs. As the state worked to come up with both short-term and long-time solutions to the situation, consumers experienced sporadic blackouts and faced large rate hikes under the terms of a bailout plan. The crisis was severe enough that it was expected to slow the state’s economic growth. Evidence subsequently emerged of both price gouging and market manipulation by a number of energy companies.
The economic downturn in the early 2000s resulted in enormous budget shortfalls for California’s state government, and made Governor Gray Davis increasingly unpopular. A recall petition financed mainly by a Republican congressman who withdrew from the subsequent election led to a vote (Oct., 2003) that removed Davis from office. The actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, was elected to succeed him.