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La Patagonia en español
PATAGONIA
Most people in Europe – with the probable exception of Spain – think that Patagonia is a country. They might not think it is a real country but they’re sure they’ve seen it on television or in the cinema. They imagine a land of grand ballrooms, of beautiful girls and officers in white uniforms with lots of medals.
It may be that the Europeans are confused and are thinking of Ruritania, which is a good place for princesses and knights in white satin. But, of course, Ruritania doesn’t exist.
Patagonia exists. It is not a country but is one of the fiercest and most beautiful wilderness areas on earth. It extends over the southern parts of Chile and Argentina and it is administered most professionally by both countries.
It is difficult to identify the exact borders of Patagonia but many people who love the place are content to say that it includes the whole southern end of South America drawing a line across at the southern end of Buenos Aires province. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America.
It is a vast region that contains all types of geography and weather: the dry southern plains of Argentina, the humid coast of the Pacific Ocean, the rocky and bleak Tierra de Fuego. All these features have been produced over millions of years by movements under and around the Andes Mountains, the longest continuous mountain chain on earth.
FAMOUS NATIONAL PARKS
The two most famous national parks in Patagonia are Tierra de Fuego and Torres del Paine. The latter has been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. Both parks attract many vacation visitors and most grades of hotels are available.
Petrified forests can also be seen; these were created by volcanic ash that buried large areas of land millions of years ago, preserving the shapes of the trees underneath.
THE CAVE OF HANDS
One of the most popular national park sites is The Petrified Forest and Cave of Hands. The caves are in the valley of the Pinturas River [the River of Paintings] so called because of all the wall paintings that can still be seen along the sides of the river.
In the caves the visitor can see the imprints of the hands of people who lived there many years ago.
GOOD TOURIST HOTELS
Patagonia is one of the last great wilderness areas on earth and it attracts many people who have a love of beauty or who seek adventure. Many organized tours of Patagonia are available. Lodge-type hotels and basic country hotels are available and the Chilean government has a helpful tourist website at http://www.sernatur.cl
Very few people live in this great territory and there are no giants at all. The first Europeans, under Magallan, called it ‘La Tierra de Patagones’. This started a myth that it was a place where giants lived.
[Porque vieron huellas gigantes - huellas fosilizadas de dinosaurios].
QUESTIONS:
1. In the opinion of the writer, where do Europeans think they have seen something about Patagonia?
2. The article compares Patagonia with an imaginary country. What is its name?
3. Does the author suggest that it is easy to show the exact frontiers of this territory?
4. Only one of these statements is TRUE –
a) Patagonia is a city near Miami.
b) It is very difficult to visit Patagonia.
c) Patagonia is managed jointly by two countries.
d) The Atlas mountains are in Patagonia.
5. What two adjectives does the writer use to describe Patagonia when he calls it ‘a wilderness area’?
6. To which country do the dry southern plains of Patagonia belong?
7. Which large body of water is mentioned in this text?
8. The region contains ‘all types’ of weather and – what else?
9. What caused ‘all these features’ to be produced over millions of years?
10. What created the petrified forests?
11. Only one of the following statements is UNTRUE (false) –
a) People who like beauty go to Patagonia.
b) There are a lot of dangerous giants in this region.
c) The first European visitors were led by Magellan.
d) Patagonia is a well-known wilderness area.
12. What does the article tell us about the population of Patagonia?
Key words, phrases
1. television or cinema.
2. Ruritania.
3. No, he says it is difficult.
4. c)
5. fiercest, beautiful.
6. Argentina
7. Pacific Ocean
8. geography.
9. movements under/around Andes.
10. Volcanic ash/eruption of volcano
11. b)
12. Very few people live there.
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¡Por primer vez en español!
LA GENTE de PUSHION
The Pushion People
Por John James Carty
Traducido por Luis Fernando Carvajal
La Gente de Pushion: pequeños seres, inteligentes, y con poderes especiales; viajan por todo el mundo viviendo de aventuras. Siempre ayudando a los humanos a donde quiera que vayan. La novela publicada aquí resulta ser algo fácil de leer en español y en inglés, que te ayudará a practicar tu inglés sin más esfuerzo que el de leer.
En español ........... En inglés
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