America's 'Capitals of the World'

America's 'Capitals of the World'

Have you ever heard that New York City claims to be the financial capital of the world? It claims to be the fashion capital of the world, too.  But, London, England also says it owns those titles. And, most any French citizen will tell you that Paris is the real fashion capital of the world.

Big cities often make such boasts. The news media also plays a part in establishing unofficial “capitals of the world.”

But smaller and less famous cities also dispute “capital of the world” titles. Today, we tell you about a few of these quirky “capitals of the world” that you can find in the United States.

Cowboy capitals of the world

Cimmaron, New Mexico is a village about two hours from Santa Fe, the state capital. Cimmaron claims to be the “cowboy capital of the world.” The town got that nickname because some of the Old West’s most famous cowboys once lived there, including “Buffalo Bill” Cody.

But other cities take issue with Cimmaron’s claims. Oakdale, California, for example, is sure that it is the “cowboy capital of the world.” It even has a cowboy museum and holds a big rodeo every year.

Not surprisingly, the state of Texas claims a “cowboy capital of the world,” too. That would be the town of Bandera, in the rugged¹ Texas Hill Country. With its rodeos and many dude ranches², visitors can easily feel the proud cowboy culture in Bandera, Texas.

Watermelon capitals of the world

Speaking of Texas, the state claims two of America’s seven – yes, seven – “watermelon capitals of the world.” The towns of Weatherford and Naples battle for the title.

Towns in five other states – Georgia, Illinois, Utah, Arkansas and Oklahoma – are also in the fight for the watermelon title. Many of the towns have festivals to celebrate the juicy fruit. Some of the towns also have large statues in honor of the watermelon.

Tourist appeal

Ken³ Smith is an editor at Roadside America. The website features off-the-beaten-path tourist attractions across the United States. He told VOA that many small cities fight for a “capital of the world” title to increase tourism.

“Most capitals of the world are usually smaller towns. They’re not big cities. Big cities do not need to call attention to themselves that way, whereas a small town does,” Mr. Smith said.  “A town wants people to come, they want visitors. Tourists buy gas, eat, buy souvenirs. [They] help the local economy.”

The fight for "Catfish⁴ Capital of the World"

Sometimes, a “capital of the world” fight can get dirty. The long-standing feud⁵ between the Kansas towns of Burlington and Chetopa is a good example.

Both town desperately⁶ wanted the title of “Catfish Capital of the World.”

To settle the debate, the two towns held a competition to catch the biggest catfish. The winning town was to receive a trophy⁷. Burlington won. But, the mayor of Chetopa did not accept the results.

Chetopa stole the trophy from Burlington. Burlington stole it back. The thieving went on for years.

Finally, the trophy ended up in Burlington. Chetopa settled on the title of “Catfish Capital of Kansas” and Burlington now rules as the state’s only “Catfish Capital of the World.”

No contest for these “capitals of the world”

Not every quirky “capital of the world” title is disputed. Sometimes, titles apparently⁸ are not as desirable as others. For example, Knoxville, Tennessee, as far as we know, is the only “Underwear Capital of the World.” The title is an old nickname for the city, which used to have a big textile industry.

Then there’s Scottsboro, Alabama, the “Lost Luggage Capital of the World.” The city is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, where airline luggage goes if it gets lost.

And Anthony, New Mexico, is the only “Leap Year Capital of the World.” Every four years, the small town holds a big birthday party for people born on Leap Day – February 29th. You can bet the city is already preparing for February 29th, 2016.

Words in this Story

boast - n. a statement in which you express too much pride in yourself or in something you have, have done, or are connected to in some way

quirky - adj. unusual especially in an interesting or appealing way

rugged - adj. having a rough, uneven⁹ surface

off-the-beaten-path - idiomatic¹⁰ phrase. in or to a place that is not close to the places where people usually go

feud - n. a long and angry fight or quarrel between two people or two groups

trophy - n. an object (such as a large cup or sculpture) that is given as a prize for winning a competition

catfish - n. a type of fish that has a large head and long thin parts that look like a cat's whiskers around its mouth

luggage - n. the bags and suitcases that a person carries when traveling

1 rugged   

adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的

参考例句：

• Football players must be rugged.足球运动员必须健壮。
• The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.落基山脉有崇山峻岭和崎岖不平的道路。

2 ranches   

大农场， （兼种果树，养鸡等的）大牧场( ranch的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They hauled feedlot manure from the ranches to fertilize their fields. 他们从牧场的饲养场拖走肥料去肥田。
• Many abandoned ranches are purchased or leased by other poultrymen. 许多被放弃的牧场会由其他家禽监主收买或租用。

3 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

4 catfish   

n.鲶鱼

参考例句：

• Huge catfish are skinned and dressed by hand.用手剥去巨鲇的皮并剖洗干净。
• We gigged for catfish off the pier.我们在码头以鱼叉叉鲶鱼。

5 feud   

n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇

参考例句：

• How did he start his feud with his neighbor?他是怎样和邻居开始争吵起来的？
• The two tribes were long at feud with each other.这两个部族长期不和。

6 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

7 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。

8 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

9 uneven   

adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的

参考例句：

• The sidewalk is very uneven—be careful where you walk.这人行道凹凸不平—走路时请小心。
• The country was noted for its uneven distribution of land resources.这个国家以土地资源分布不均匀出名。

10 idiomatic   

adj.成语的，符合语言习惯的

参考例句：

• In our reading we should always be alert for idiomatic expressions.我们在阅读过程中应经常注意惯用法。
• In his lecture,he bore down on the importance of idiomatic usage in a language.他在演讲中着重强调了语言中习惯用法的重要性。