英语国家概况之新西兰部分学习重点

国家概况之新西兰地理历史 新西兰地理历史 New Zealand is in the Southern Pacific Ocean, halfway between the equator and the South Pole. 新西兰地处南太平洋，位于赤道和南极之间。 The size of the country is similar to Britain or Japan. It has two main islands: North Island and South Island 新西兰的面积与英国和日本相近。它有2个主要的岛，北岛和南岛 New Zealand is just west of the International Date Line, so it is the first country to get the new day. 新西兰位于国际日期变更线以西，所以它是世界上第一个迎接新一天到来的国家。 The highest peak is Mt Cook,3764M.  Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand 最高的山峰是库克山，海拔3764米。 陶波湖是新西兰最大的湖。 The largest rivers in South Island is the Clutha, and in the North Island is the Waikato and the wanganui. 南岛最大的河流是克鲁沙河，北岛最大的河流有2个，是怀卡托河和黄加雷河。 Earthquakes and volcanoes are the most serious potential natural disasters. 地震和火山是新西兰最严重的自然灾害。 The climate of New Zealand is generally temperate, but because the country runs northsouth, the climate is varied. In the north it is subtropical and in some mountainous areas of South it is almost subarctic. 新西兰的气候总的来说很温和，但由于该国是南北走向，气候变化较大。它的最北部属于亚热带气候，而南岛某些山区属于亚寒带气候 The red pohutukawa called New Zealand Christmas tree 红色的波赫塔克瓦被称为新西兰的圣诞树 The kiwi is a national symbol and New Zealanders refer to themselves as Kiwis. 几维鸟被当作是国家的象征，新西兰人也这样称呼自己 The first European to visit New Zealand in 1642 was a Dutchman, Abel Tasman. 第一个到达新西兰的欧洲人是荷兰的阿贝尔.塔斯曼，1642年。 The first Englishman to visit New Zealand in 1769 was Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy. 最早到达新西兰的英国人是英国皇家海军的詹姆士.库克船长，1769年。 In 1840 Hobson , representing Queen Victoria, and some Maori chiefs, signed the Treaty of Waitangi. Modern New Zealand was founded. 1840年第一位总督威廉.赫伯森和毛利酋长签订了《威坦哲条约》，现代新西兰成立了。 The Treaty of Waitangi 1840 has three articles 条约的三条内容 1) the Maori people gave the Queen of England the right to make laws for the country 第一，毛利人把立法权交给英国女王 2)promised the Maori own their lands, forests, and other treasured possessions, if Maori wanted to sell land ,only the Crown had the right to buy。 第二，毛利人拥有自己的土地，森林，渔场，如果毛利人想出售他们的财产，只能卖给英国政府。 3)Maoris were granted all the rights and privileges of British subjects. 第三，保证毛利人享有和英国臣民一样的权利 The anniversary of the signing, February 6, is celebrated as New Zealand National Day, Waitangi Day, and is a national holiday. 2月6日是条约签定的纪念日，这一天也就是新西兰的国庆日，是全国性的节日。 In 1893 New Zealand became the first country to give women the vote 1893年，新西兰成为第一个妇女有选举权的国家。 The marae-the meeting house and the land around it-is the focus of Maori community life. 马拉埃--聚会大厅及其周围土地--是毛利人村社生活的中心。