新奇事件簿 摩纳哥百万富翁‘人满为患’

The tiny city-state of Monaco on France's Mediterranean¹ coastline is having problems finding space for rich people. Monaco is less than 2 square kilometers in size and has some of the richest people in the world living there. It is called the playground of the rich and is home to a Formula 1 Grand Prix, a famous casino and a luxury yacht-lined harbor. Over 30 per cent of its 38,000 residents are millionaires. The country is running out of space for more millionaires. House prices are already the highest in the world, with an average price of around $100,000 per square meter. City planners say an estimated 2,700 more millionaires are hoping to move there in the next 10 years.

位于法国地中海沿岸的小城邦摩纳哥遇到了难题—无法给富人们提供空间。不足两平方公里的摩纳哥居住着世界上一些最富有的人群。摩纳哥被称为富人的游乐场，摩纳哥是F1一级方程式锦标赛的举办地，是一座著名的俱乐部，也是奢华游艇成排的港湾。38,000位居民中有超过30%的人是百万富翁。这座城市已经快要容纳不下更多的百万富翁了。这里的房价已经是世界最高了，平均每平米约100,000美元。城市规划师称在接下来的10年预计还会有2,700位百万富翁希望搬到摩纳哥。

Monaco's ruler, Prince Albert II, has decided² to build more homes in Monaco. He wants to reclaim³ land from the sea. He has OK'd a $2.1 billion project to fill in 15 acres of the sea with concrete and sand. The project will have a harbor big enough for 30 ships, a landscaped park, a Japanese garden and 120 new waterfront homes for the rich and famous. There will be a huge demand for the new homes. People are attracted by the luxury lifestyle and no income tax. Marine⁴ experts are worried the construction will cause great damage to sea life and the environment. The Prince said he cares about the environment. He said important species would be moved to a new artificial reef.

摩纳哥统治者，摩纳哥亲王亚伯特二世决定在摩纳哥建造更多的房屋。他想要填海建地。他同意执行一项价值21亿美元的填海计划，计划用混凝土和沙子填满15英亩的海域面积。该项目将建造一座能容纳30艘船只的港口、一座园景公园、一座日本花园并为富人和名人们建造120座新的滨水豪宅。未来将有巨大的房屋需求。人们都被这里的奢华风格以及无所得税政策吸引。海洋专家担心这项填海项目会对海洋生命和环境造成巨大破坏。亲王表示他关心环境。他称重要物种将被迁移至一座新的人工鱼礁。

1 Mediterranean   

adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的

参考例句：

• The houses are Mediterranean in character.这些房子都属地中海风格。
• Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.直布罗陀是地中海的要冲。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

4 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。