In a remote area of South Australia lies Coober Pedy, a seemingly deserted mining town. But don’t be fooled by its surface appearance — around 60 percent of the town’s population have made their homes underground.
The town was first established in the early 20th century, after a teenager found opal gemstones there. This discovery transformed the town into the world’s opal mining center, drawing miners from far and wide. The town’s unique underground community took shape as a response to the harsh climate, where average summer temperatures can soar to 38°C. Using basic mining tools, the residents dug holes into the sides of hills and created underground dwellings, often referred to as “dugouts.”
Living beneath the surface has its advantages. Underground residents not only enjoy a mild 23°C all year round, but also save a considerable amount from not running air conditioning. The underground lifestyle also means less noise and reduced light pollution. Moreover, the sandstone walls’ structural integrity enables residents to create spacious rooms with high ceilings. Some locals have even constructed luxury homes complete with swimming pools and game rooms.
Photo: Wikimedia commons 照片：維基共享資源提供
The underground also contains numerous facilities for tourists to explore. To learn about the town’s mining and aboriginal history, visitors can drop by the Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, an old mine that has been converted into the town’s largest underground tourist attraction. Those who want an authentic local experience can spend a night in an underground room at the Desert Cave Hotel.
Coober Pedy is proof of humans’ ability to adapt in the face of an adverse environment. The town is indeed a one-of-a-kind place on—or below—Earth.
在澳洲南部的一個偏遠地區，有著一個看似荒涼的礦業小鎮，名叫庫伯佩地。但不要被它的表面所欺騙——這個小鎮約百分之60的居民選擇在地下建立自己的家。
這個小鎮最早建立於西元20世紀初，一名少年在那裡發現了蛋白石寶石。這一發現將這個小鎮變成了世界蛋白石開採中心，吸引了來自各地的礦工。這個小鎮獨特的地下社區是為應對惡劣的氣候而形成，夏季的平均氣溫可飆升至攝氏 38 度。居民們使用基本的採礦工具挖掘山丘的側面，創造了地下住所，通常被稱為「地下穴居」。
生活在地下有它的好處。地下居民不僅全年享受著攝氏 23 度的溫和氣溫，還節省了大量不需要運行空調的費用。地下生活方式還意味著更少的噪音和減少的光污染。此外，砂岩牆壁的結構完整性使居民可以建造寬敞的房間，擁有高聳的天花板。一些當地人甚至建造了豪華的住宅，包括游泳池和娛樂室！
地下還擁有眾多供遊客探索的設施。要了解小鎮的採礦與原住民歷史的話，遊客可以順道參觀烏穆納蛋白石礦坑博物館，這是一個老礦場，已經轉換為該鎮最大的地下旅遊景點。那些想要體驗當地風情的遊客可以在沙漠洞穴旅館的地下房間過夜。
庫伯佩地證明了人們在面對惡劣環境時的適應能力。這個小鎮確實是地球上獨一無二的地方，無論是在地上還是地下。
MORE INFORMATION
gemstone n. 寶石
dwelling n. 住所
dugout n. 地下穴居
sandstone n. 砂岩
integrity n. 完整性；操守
aboriginal adj. 原住民的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. community n. 社區；團體
The local library serves as a gathering place for the whole community by hosting various events.
當地圖書館舉辦各種活動，成為整個社區的聚會場所。
2. soar vi. 驟升；高達；翱翔
People began to move out of the city as the cost of living continued to soar.
隨著生活成本持續飆升，人們開始搬離城市。
3. mild adj. 溫和的；輕微的
Nancy dislikes the cold and dreams of moving to a place with mild winters.
南希不喜歡寒冷，夢想著搬到冬季氣候溫和的地方。
4. construct vt. 建造；建立
The children constructed a fort in the living room using blankets and pillows.
孩子們在客廳用毯子和枕頭建造了一座堡壘。
5. luxury adj. 豪華的；奢侈的
As a reward for working hard this year, Simon booked himself a three-night stay at a luxury hotel.
作為對今年勤奮工作的獎勵，賽門在豪華飯店為自己訂了三晚的住宿。
6. facility n. 場所；設施
The medical facility was equipped with advanced technology to ensure the best possible care for all patients.
這間醫療場所配備了先進技術，以確保能為所有患者提供最好的護理。
7. convert v. 轉換；變換
The old factory was converted into a gallery that displayed the works of local artists.
這間舊工廠被改建成一個展示當地藝術家作品的畫廊。
8. adapt v. 使適應；調整；改造
People who travel frequently often need to adapt to different cultures, languages and customs.
經常旅行的人常常需要適應不同的文化、語言和習俗。
9. adverse adj. 不利的；負面的
Despite adverse economic conditions, the small business managed to thrive and
expand its operations.
儘管經濟條件不利，這家小企業仍然能夠繁榮昌盛並擴大業務。
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