SP: English Study Group

 

Simon Reeve, a British author who anchors series of exploration documentaries in BBC.

He traveled through Tropic of Cancer, visiting dozens of countries, from desert to jungle, from fields to cities. 

In Egypt, his team was hindered by the government recording some poor tribes, e.g. the Bedouins dwelling in desert near the Red sea. And the ecology-economy paradox with Aswan dam, where hometown for the Bedouins and spectacular historic relics lying in.

In Saudi Arabic, the Islamic tradition of female inequality shocked him, because women are not permitted to drive vehicles nor wearing casual clothes in the public.

In India, the huge imbalance between riches and slums overwhelmed him. People in poverty live near to a pesticide factory which has shut down for decades due to a pollution scandal, away standing many luxury hotels.

The Greenhouse effect destroys the territory of Bangladesh, bringing hygiene problem to the poorest population. Climate changes deteriorate the economy of Bangladesh.

The Rohingyas are oppressed by Myanmar government, arising from their Islamic religion and culture, which are so different from the majorities in Myanmar. Several conflicts reside in India-China peninsula cause chaos and uncertainty. 

When taking in Taipei, as far as the better infrastructure and the modern architecture, so does no obvious conflicts arise in Taiwan's society, Simon said "Taiwan is no where else in the Tropic of Cancer, people here are richer and free than the rest of the Tropic of Cancer ", "It's a success in Tropic of Cancer". At the same time, Simon mentioned that Taiwan facing diplomatic dilemma, whether belongs to China or not, as a Chinese or not.

 

1. What's your impression of the countries on the Tropic of Cancer, what's the common characteristic they share?

 

2. Is there any reason making Taiwan a most prosperous region in the Tropic of Cancer. Do you think that's really true, or just because Simon Reeve didn't see the whole picture?