大学英语四级考试精读荟萃100篇(38)-希腊的旅游业.docx

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大学英语四级考试精读荟萃100篇(38):希腊的旅游业

Greece,economically,isintheblack.Withverylittletoexportotherthansuchfarmproductsastobacco,cottonandfruit,thecountryearnsenoughfrom'invisibleearnings'topayforitsneeded,growingimports.FromthesendingoutofthingstheGreeks,earnonly$285million;fromtourism,shippingandtheremittancesofGreeksabroad,thecountrytakesinanadditional#375millionandthiswashesoutthealmost$400millionbywhichimportsexceedexports.Ithasabalancedbudget.Althoughmorethanonedrachmaoutoffourgoesfordefense,thegovernmentendedarecentyearwithaslightsurplus--$66million.Greecehasadecentreserveofalmostathirdofabilliondollarsingoldandforeignexchange.Ithasagovernmentnotdependentoncoalescingincompatiblepartiestoobtainparliamentarymajorities.Inthussummarizingafewhappyhighlights,Idon'tmeantominimizethevastextentofGreece'sproblems.ItisthepoorestcountrybyawidemargininFreeEurope,andpovertyiswidespread.Atbestanannualincomeof$60to$70isthelotofmanyapeasant,andsubstantialunemploymentplaguesthecountryside,cities,andtownsofGreece.Therearefewnaturalresourcesonwhichtobuildanysubstantialindustrialbase.SomeyearsagoIwrotehere:"GreekstatesmanshipwillhavetocreateanatmosphereinwhichhomeandforeignsavingswillwillinglyseekinvestmentopportunitiesinthebackwardeconomyofGreece.Sofar,mostAmericanandotherforeignattempthaveboggeddownintheGreekgovernment'sredtapeandshrewdnessaboutsmallpoints."Greatstrideshavebeenmade.Asfarbackas1956,expandingtourismseemedalogicalwaytobringneededforeigncurrenciesandadditionaljobstoGreece.AtthattimeItalkedwiththeHiltonHotelpeople,whohadbeenexamininghotelpossibilities,andtotheGreekgovernmentdivisionresponsibleforthisareaoftheeconomy.Theywerehopelesslydeadlockedinalmosttotaldifferencesofopinionandoutlook.Todaymostoftheincrediblyvaried,beautiful,historicalsightsofGreecehavenew,ifinmanycasesmodest,touristfacilities.Tourismitselfhasjumpedfromapproximately$31milliontoover$90million.ThereisbothamagnificentnewHiltonHotelinAthensandacompletelymode