The Twin Island Country: Trinidad and Tobago

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Named for the tobacco cultivated by the original Carib population, Tobago existed separately from Trinidad for centuries. While the explorer Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1498, he did not land and no attempts were made to colonize Tobago.

In 1889, during a period of economic decline, Britain annexed the smaller Tobago to Trinidad as an administrative ward. The islands achieved independence from England in 1962 and became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.

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The Twin Island Country, Trinidad and Tobago

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After discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1498 the the island remained under Spanish rule until the end of the 18th century. The British captured it in 1797 and in 1889, they joined the smaller Tobago to Trinidad as an administrative ward. The islands achieved independence from England in 1962 and became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.

 

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100th anniversary of Syrian/Lebanese Presence in Trinidad and Tobago. The stamp is part of a set of four, issued 2010.

Early 1900’s many immigrants from greater Syria (comprising present day Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon) escaped religious persecution and economic hardship in their native countries. They started out as guest workers but today it is a thriving community. 

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Wangerooge Island

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The East Frisian Islands are a chain of islands in Germany’s part of the North Sea. Wangerooge is the most easterly of the seven East Frisian islands. It is one of the smallest. Only about a 1,000 people live on this small island but in the tourist season it welcomes more than 7,000 visitors a day.

 

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(right) 600 jahre Konstanzer Konzil  (600 years Council of Constance) 

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Sanday, one of the Orkney Islands

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Sanday is one of the larger inhabited outer islands of Orkney.  There are around 70 islands and islets in the Orkney archipelago, which is situated about 6.2 miles (10 km) from the Scottish mainland. The island has a population of around 550.

 

Sanday island is dominated by sand dunes (hence its name) and unspoilt beaches. Start Point lighthouse is the island’s distinctive lighthouse with black and white vertical stripes, built over 200 years ago.

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The stamp is issued by Universal Mail, a private or alternative mail provider. The stamps can be used only to send postcards to any destination outside of the UK. This one depicts Loch Ness together with Scottish flag. 

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Senglea Waterfront, Malta

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The Maltese archipelago is located 100 km south of Sicily and 290 km north of Africa. It comprises three islands: Malta, Goze and Comino. Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture. Comino, the smallest of the trio, has one hotel and is largely uninhabited.

 

Senglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta.

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Artilleria hill lift in Valparaiso, Chile

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Valparaíso is city and major seaport in Chile. The city has lot of hills and in the past to make it easier to get to the top, some lifts were placed in different areas to carry people up.

This is one of those and it's called Asensor (lift in English) Artilleria. The lift was inaugurated in 1893 and still transports visitors up and down the hill of the same name.

Stamps

A 1995 Christmas stamp and the stamp on the right is a special one. At first glance I thought it was a rocket or something. But in fact it is the lift that was used a few years ago to rescue 33 miners in the San Jose mine.  Thx Ruben!

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