The Pearl of the Adriatic|亚得里亚海的明珠──克罗埃西亚

by Marcus Maurice

Many people are now visiting Croatia, a country rich in history and natural beauty.

After its brutal War of Independence ended in 1995 with a decisive victory over Yugoslavia, Croatia began the task of rebuilding a nation that was torn apart. While this process is still ongoing, tourism has soared due to the country's expansive coastline with many islands, inlets, and well-preserved Renaissance towns. As a matter of fact, Croatia has been near the top of many travel bloggers' must-visit lists for the past few years. It seems as though the more people go to Croatia, the more their friends want to do the same after hearing about what a wonderful time they had.

Crystal-clear waters and numerous waterfalls can be found at the 16 lakes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is the largest park in Croatia and has many breathtaking views to take in. One of the most distinctive features of these lakes is that they are always evolving because they are all interconnected. This means that in some places, new waterfalls can spring up, while in others, they dry up. Each time a tourist visits Plitvice, the scenery is different. The beauty of Croatia is also prevalent in Dubrovnik, a city British poet Lord Byron dubbed "the pearl of the Adriatic." The shapes and scents, along with the friendly locals, make visiting this walled city truly unforgettable.

Croatia is also known for the Moreska sword dance, being the country where Dalmatians originated, and neckwear that soldiers wore before the fashionable crowd in France took notice and popularized cravats around the world. There is no better time than right now to visit Croatia.

1.  Which of the following statements is true about Croatia?

(A) The government offers bloggers free trips if they post nice things about the country.

(B) The country has torn down many historic towns in the process of modernization.

(C) The tourism bureau is funded by the government.

(D) The country began to thrive after a bloody war.

2.  According to the article, what is special about Plitvice Lakes National Park?

(A) Its 16 lakes are all separate.

(B) The local people are very friendly.

(C) The landscape is ever-changing.

(D) It has the biggest waterfall in central Europe.

3.  What is Croatia NOT known for?

(A) Long coastlines and lots of islands.

(B) Its geographical importance in Europe.

(C) A dance that uses weapons to tell a story.

(D) A certain kind of tie that military men wore.

4.  Where could this article be found?

(A) In a magazine on a flight.

(B) In an army recruitment brochure.

(C) On a website that lists the world's best hiking.

(D) In a book on dog breeding.

现今许多人造访克罗埃西亚这个历史悠久、充满自然美景的国家。

　　克罗埃西亚在 1995 年以一场决定性的胜利战胜南斯拉夫，结束血腥的独立战争，之后开始重建饱受战争摧残的国家任务。虽然重建过程仍持续进行，但该国广阔的海岸线、众多岛屿和水湾，以及保存良好的文艺复兴时期的城镇，早已让当地观光业蓬勃发展。事实上，近年来克罗埃西亚几乎成为许多旅游部落客必定造访名单上的首选。彷佛越多人去过这个国家，就有越多他们的朋友在聆听完那段旅游的美好时光后也想到此一游。

　　在普利特维斯国家公园的 16 座湖泊里，能发现清澈无比的湖水和为数众多的瀑布。这是克罗埃西亚最大的公园，在此能欣赏许多令人叹为观止的景色。这些湖泊最特殊的特色之一就是：它们因为彼此相互连接而一直发展出不同的地貌。这意味着有些地方会突然冒出新瀑布，但其他地方的瀑布却会枯竭。游客每回造访普利特维斯国家公园，它的景致总有不同。克罗埃西亚的美丽风光在杜布罗夫尼克亦随处可见，英国诗人拜伦称这个城市为『亚得里亚海的明珠』。这座城市的样貌、气息以及友善的当地人，着实让人难以忘怀游历这座城墙耸立的城市。

　　克罗埃西亚为人所知的还包括剑舞、大麦町狗的产地和军人所配戴的领饰，后者被法国的时尚人士注意到后，才让领巾在全世界打开知名度。看来现在造访克罗埃西亚是再好不过的时候了。

答案：1. (D)2. (C)3. (B)4. (A)

普利特维斯国家公园位于克罗埃西亚中部东边，1949年列名为国家公园，1979 年与杜布罗夫尼克成为克罗埃西亚第 1 批列入世界自然遗产的地方。普利特维斯国家公园又称为十六湖国家公园，依地形高低分为上湖区和下湖区。湖水千变万化，时而蓝，时而绿，时而多彩，且园区内开发度低，自然生态相当丰富，园区沿途可见大大小小的瀑布，处处可听见潺潺流水声。步行栈道是参观的主要方法，让人真正感受百分百的天地融合。