Travertine landscape and pools of Huanglong, China

PostcardHuanglong  is a scenic and historic interest area in the northwest part of Sichuan, China. Colored travertine ponds are the main landscapes in Huanglong. The large travertine accumulations, created by the arctic-alpine environment, are rarely seen in other parts of the world. Layer over layer, travertine ponds look like terraces under green waters dazzling under the sun.Sta...

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Great Barrier Reef, Australia

PostcardOne of Australia's most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world.A closer encounter with the Great Barrier Reef's impressive coral gardens reveals many astounding underwater attractions including the world's largest collection of corals, coral sponges, mollusks, rays, dolphins, over...

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Moremi Game Reserve Botswana

PostcardBotswana is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa,  Namibia  Zimbabwe and Zambia (for a very small part).In March 1885 Botswana was declared a British Protectorate. Extensive territories were incorporated into the then British colony of South Africa under the name of British Bechuanaland. In 1966 the country became the independent Republic of Botswana with Sir Seretse...

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Bison roaming Montana's Great Plains

PostcardHistorically, bison numbered an estimated 20-30 million. Unregulated shooting of bison, which culminated in mass slaughters during the 1870s, reduced the population to about 1,000 in 1889. Today, approximately 500,000 bison live across North America. Most are not pure bison but rather have been cross-bred with cattle in the past and are raised as livestock on ranches. Fewer than 30,000 bison are in conservation herds, and fewer than 5,000...

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Al-Chouf Cedars Nature Reserve, Lebanon

PostcardThe Al-Chouf Cedars Nature Reserve is located 50 km from Beirut, covering two percent of the total area of Lebanon. It consists of three major forests, accounting for a quarter of the remaining cedar forests of Lebanon. In the reserve, 2000 year old trees can be found as well as various species of mountain birds, plants and mammals including wolves, hyenas, wild boars, gazelles, foxes and lynxes.StampFrom a set of stamps celebrating...

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Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Rajastan

PostcardThe Jaisalmer desert festival is a three-day long extravaganza of dances, music, handicraft fairs and interesting competitions- including really unusual ones like a 'Mr Desert' pageant and a 'best moustache' contest. It's a fantastic showcase of all things Rajasthani.Besides the food, the music and the cultural performances, there are camel rides, processions, camel polo, and even a camel tug-of-war.Rajasthan is the largest state of...

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The pearl of the Syrian | سوريا desert: Palmyra

PostcardPalmyra (or Tadmor in Arabic) lies in the heart of Syrian Desert. The city of palm trees was located along the Silk Route. Syria was a Roman (Byzantine) province from 64 BC to 636 AD. After the Romans conquered Syria, Palmyra flourished and became known as the city of palm-trees.Syria is a country of 21 million people. It gained independence in April 1946. Damascus is the capital city of Syria and the oldest continuously inhabited...

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From Catania, Sicily: Ursino Castle

PostcardSicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its most prominent landmark is Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world. Catania is a city on the east coast of Sicily.The Ursino Castle was built on the initiative of Emperor Frederick II as part of his plan for fortifying the Sicilian coast.StampSingapore 2010 Youth Olympic G...

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Åland à la (post)Carte

PostcardÅland is an autonomous region of Finland. Åland consists of more than 6,700 islands situated midway between Sweden and Finland. Although the people of Åland speak Swedish, this autonomous territory is part of Finland. Åland has its own flag, has issued its own postage stamps since 1984, runs its own police force, and is a member of the Nordic Council.The current population of 28,000 live on only 65 islands.  Over...

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Medellin, Colombia, a panorama from Nutibara Hill

PostcardNutibara Hill is a small mountainous formation located in the Colombian city of Medellín, the second largest city in the country behind Bogota.In the valley of Aburra, where the city of Medellin is located, the powerful "Cacique Nutibara" used to reign. This native chief became legendary for leading the rebellion of the indigenous tribes against the Spanish conquistadores. Stamps(left) A stamp issued 2011 to commemorate historian, writer...

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A postcard from the West Indies: Sint Maarten

PostcardSaint Martin is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean. Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It encompasses the southern half of Saint Martin.It is the smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations. The border is almost imperceptible and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering...

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The Roman Empire in Libya | ‏ليبيا‎ : Leptis Magna

PostcardLibya is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The largest city and capital is Tripoli. Leptis Magna is a UNESCO World Heritage site located about two hour's drive east of Tripoli. Leptis Magna was a prominent city of the Roman Empire. The site is one of the most spectacular and unspoiled Roman ruins in the Mediterranean. Originally a Phoenician settlement, probably founded in the 6th century...

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Fishing for Simsim, Comoros | جزر القمر

PostcardThe Comoros is a sovereign archipelago island nation in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa, between Mozambique and Madagascar. Its capital is Moroni, on the island Grande Comore.In the late 1800's, the islands were annexed by France. Independence for the Comoros was gradual, and was finally achieved in 1975. Mayotte is geographically part...

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Sunrise at Sazilé beach, Mayotte

PostcardMayotte is part of the archipelago that makes up the Comoros Islands. The archipelago is located in the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and Mozambique.  Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France.Taken by Malagasy people from Madagascar at the end of the 18th century, it came under French control in 1843. Together with the other Comoros islands and...

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Souk El Khayatine | Ancient tailors' souk from Tripoli, Lebanon

PostcardThe Khan Al Khayatine souk in Tripoli was built in the first half of the 14th century and renovated in 1974. It is the oldest souk of the city and has narrow winding alleys featuring tailor shops where you will find beautiful traditional clothing.Beautiful colors, unique textures and special designs are in display. The costumes for Lebanon’s most renowned dance troupes are made here.Stamps (right) Suleiman Kabalan Frangieh(1910 - 1992) was President of Lebanon from...

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