Monday, July 31, 2017

Sulug Island | Malaysia


Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Postcard
Sulug Island is located near the West Coast of Sabah, Malaysia. The island is part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. This park comprises 5 islands: Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug.

Sulug is locally known as rocky island and is the second smallest island of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Sulug offers white sandy beaches, coral reef and clear water, making it an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Pigeon Island | Turkey


Postcard
Kuşadası, meaning something like Bird Island, is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast. Pigeon Island is located just off the coast.

As the island was much-frequented place of birds during the seasonal migrations, it was named Bird Island. In the times of Ottomans, the name of the island was given to the town and the town was started to be called as "Kusadasi" (Bird Island). Since then, the name of the island was changed into "Pigeon Island".

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Peñón de Alhucemas | Morocco


Island off the coast Morocco

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Al Hoceima is a city in the north of Morocco. The island you see on this card, just off the coast, is Peñón de Alhucemas. Together with the islets of Isla de Mar and Isla de Tierra they form the Alhucemas Islands.

Peñón de Alhucemas is a tiny rock island, measuring 220 m by 84 m and has a height of 27 m. The rock is entirely occupied by a fort, several houses, and a church.

The island is one of the Spanish plazas de soberanía (places of sovereignty). These are Spanish sovereign territories, scattered along the Mediterranean coast bordering Morocco. Two other notorious plazas de soberanía are Ceuta and Melilla.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Suva, the capital of Fiji


Fiji Islands capital city

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Suva is the capital of Fiji. The city is located on Viti Levu, the largest island in the Fijian archipelago. With over 88,000 inhabitants Suva is one of the largest cities in the South Pacific. Before 1877 Levuka was the capital of Fiji.

Stamp
This great stamp is actually a very tiny one. Part of the same series of bird-stamps as the one you see here.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Hawaiian Islands Map | USA - Hawaii



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The Hawaiian archipelago comprises eight major islands, several atolls and numerous smaller islets. The main islands are Hawaii, Maui, O'ahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanaii, Ni'ihau and Kaho'olawe. The islands are about 1,860 miles from the nearest continent.

Kauai island | USA - Hawaii



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The tropical island of Kauai is part of the Hawaiian archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls and numerous smaller islets. The island's nickname is the Garden Island. With 67,000 inhabitants, Kauai is the fourth island by population.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Fasil Ghebbi | Ethiopia


Unesco whs Ethiopia
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Fasil Ghebbi is the remains of a fortress-city within Gondar, Ethiopia. It was founded in the 17th and 18th centuries by Emperor Fasilides (Fasil) and was the home of Ethiopia's emperors. Its unique architecture shows diverse influences including Nubian styles.

Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Chittorgarh Fort | India


UNESCO WHS INDIA
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Chittorgarh Fort is the largest fort in India. Standing on 180 meters high hill, the fort covers an area of 700 Acres. Chittorgarh fort is also called as Water Fort because the fort features many water harvesting structures. Enough water could be stored to last 12 months.

Chittorgarh Fort is one of the six forts that comprises UNESCO World Heritage site "Hillforts of Rajastan".

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Qinghai Hoh Xil | China


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Earlier this month, UNESCO declared  China’s Hoh Xil nature reserve a World Heritage site. Qinghai Hoh Xil is located in the north-eastern extremity of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the largest and highest plateau in the world.

This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 m above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year-round. More than one third of the plant species, and all the herbivorous mammals are endemic to the plateau.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Hanseatic Town of Visby | Sweden


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Visby is the largest city on the Swedish Baltic Sea island of Gotland. Visby was the main centre of the Hanseatic League in the Baltic from the 12th to the 14th century.

Its 13th-century ramparts and more than 200 warehouses and wealthy merchants' dwellings from the same period make it the best-preserved fortified commercial city in northern Europe.
Hanseatic Town of Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Patrauti Monastery | Romania



Unesco World Heritage site Romania
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Patrauti Monastery was built in 1487 and dedicated to the Holy Cross. Today, only the church and a wooden bell tower are still standing from the original monastic complex. Together with seven other churches, Patrauti is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Churches of Moldavia'.


Citadel of the Ho Dynasty | Vietnam


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"The 14th-century Ho Dynasty citadel, built according to the feng shui principles, testifies to the flowering of neo-Confucianism in late 14th century Viet Nam and its spread to other parts of east Asia." (source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1358) 

In 2015 hundreds of artefacts dating back to the 10th century have been discovered in Vinh Long commune, about 1 km southeast of the Ho Dynasty Citadel.

Stamps
Year of the Rooster Stamps Vietnam 2017. Every year many countries issue Chinese new year stamps featuring one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac sign. The year 2017 is the Chinese Year of the rooster.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Church of the Intercession on the River Nerl | Russia



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The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl River is an Orthodox church, located near the ancient capital of Vladimir.

The church is part of the Unesco World Heritage site 'White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal'.

Giraldo Square in Évora | Portugal


Unesco world heritage portugal
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Praça do Giraldo is the main square of Évora and it is hard to believe that this calm and pleasant setting was the scene for some of the region’s most violent historical events. The square was the focal point for the murderous 16th century Spanish Inquisitions and more significantly the location of the execution of the Duke of Braganza in 1484.

Today the charming Praça do Giraldo is a popular place for tourists to sit at the open air cafes and restaurants and embrace the relaxing ambience. (source: http://www.evora-portugal.com)

Historic Centre of Évora is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Big Temple | India


Unesco whs India

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Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India, is locally known as "Big Temple". It is one of the largest temples in India and it is already 1000 years old.

The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples". These temples were all built during the Chola rule in the south of India and neighboring islands. The Chola dynasty was one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the history of southern India.

Historic Town of Ouro Preto | Brazil


Unesco Whs Brazil

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Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century.

With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city’s influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity.


(source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/124)

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia


capital of Ethiopia
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Addis Ababa is the capital and, with over 3,5 million inhabitants, largest city of Ethiopia.

There are more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. The headquarters of the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) are both in the city.  Addis Ababa is therefore often referred to as "the political capital of Africa.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Munkholmen island | Norway


Prison Island

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Munkholmen is a very small island, located to the north of Trondheim, Norway. In the past this island has served as a place of execution, a monastery, a fortress, a prison, and a World War II anti-aircraft gun station.

Today, Munkholmen is a popular tourist attraction and recreation site. During the summer season you can enjoy lazy days at the beach, join a guided tour of the islet or have lunch at Munkholmen's very own café.

Friday, July 14, 2017

Abu Dhabi, capital city of the United Arab Emirates


capital city of UAE
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Abu Dhabi | أبو ظبي‎‎ is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the second most populated city with over 1,5 million inhabitants. Abu Dhabi is also capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAE's seven emirates.

To my surprise Abu Dhabi is located on a T-shaped island very close to the coast.

Stamp
The Falcon is the national bird of UAE and is a symbol of force, grace, pride, strength and courage, recognizing the importance of falconry in Arab tradition and culture.

Once falconry was an integral part of desert life in UAE. Today it is practiced purely for sport.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Gustavia, capital of Saint Barthélemy


capital of Saint Barthélemy
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Gustavia is the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy (Saint-Barth). It was named after King Gustav III of Sweden. Saint-Barth is the only Caribbean island which was once a Swedish colony for a longer period. Today Saint Barthélemy is an overseas collectivity of France.

Stamps
In Saint-Barthélemy French stamps are used.
2017 issue for Europa-stamp theme castles. The stamp shows both the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and Chambord. Both are part of Unesco World Heritage site "Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes".

Thank you so much Denise!

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Manukan Island | Malaysia


Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
Postcard
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a Marine Park with a cluster of islands: Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug. The second largest island in the park is Manukan.

Manukan has a long stretch of white sandy beach, plenty of facilities and ranks as a top diving and snorkelling site. So it is no surprise this island attracts over 200,000 of visitors annually.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Grand Turk | Turks and Caicos Islands


Turks and Caicos Islands


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Grand Turk is the largest of the Turks Islands. Together with Caicos Islands they form the archipellago of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), one of the 14 British Overseas Territories.

Land of the Dogons | Mali




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The Dogon are an ethnic group living in the central plateau region of Mali, in West Africa.

The 'Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons)' is a Unesco World Heritage site. A vast cultural landscape covering 400,000 ha and includes 289 villages.


Friday, July 7, 2017

Trinidad de Cuba


Unesco whs cuba
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Trinidad, located in the central Cuban province of Sancti Spíritus, was founded in the early 16th century. Its history is closely related to the sugar industry that flourished there and in the nearby Valley de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) from the late 18th century to the late 19th century.

Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

The Paris of the Caribbean | Martinique


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Saint-Pierre is a town of France's Caribbean overseas department of Martinique, founded in 1635 by Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc. Before the total destruction of Saint-Pierre in 1902 by a volcanic eruption, it was the most important city of Martinique, known as "the Paris of the Caribbean".

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