From Catania, Sicily: Ursino Castle

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Sicily 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.

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Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

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Åland à la (post)Carte

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Åland 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 40 per cent live in the only town and capital Mariehamn. The archipelago is largely made up of coastal rock slopes and heather moorland, and has large areas of pine forests. Only about nine per cent of Åland is arable land.

The postcard shows 4 typical Åland dishes: Åland Panncake, Gravlax, Pickled fish and Smoked Åland flounder.

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Georg August Wallin (1811 – 1852), also known as Abd al-Wali was a Finnish (born in Åland) orientalist, explorer and professor remembered for his journeys in the Middle East during the 1840s.

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Medellin, Colombia, a panorama from Nutibara Hill

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Nutibara 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.

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(left) A stamp issued 2011 to commemorate historian, writer and archivist Jorge Palacios Preciado (1940-2003).

(right) To celebrate 100 year symphony band, National Police of Colombia (1912-2012).

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A postcard from the West Indies: Sint Maarten

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Saint 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 a new country. 

Princess Juliana International Airport serves both the Dutch and the French part of the island. It is named after crown princess Juliana of the Netherlands in 1944, the year after the airport opened. The airport is famous for its short landing strip which is barely enough for heavy jets. Because of this, the planes approach the island flying extremely low, right over Maho Beach.
It’s a spectacular sight!

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From a set of three stamps issued 2011 about tourism.

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The Roman Empire in Libya | ‏ليبيا‎ : Leptis Magna

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Libya 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 BC by Phoenicians from Tyre , Leptis Magna became a great metropolis under the Romans, particularly during the reign of Septimus Severus (193-211 AD).

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From a set of 5 stamps picturing children drawings.

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Fishing for Simsim, Comoros | جزر القمر

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The 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 of the Comoro Islands but is an overseas department and region of France.

In Comoros, Simsim, a small fish of the family sardines, is very popular. During the season, everybody is an improvised fisherman because it is an opportunity to make money and learn to fish.

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(top) From a set of six stamps issued in2006 in remembrance of  Leopold Senghor, first President of Senegal, 1960-1980.

(bottom) From a set of 6 stamps about local flowers.

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Sunrise at Sazilé beach, Mayotte

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Mayotte 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 Madagascar, it became part of a single French overseas territory in the early 20th century. It has been administered separately since 1975, when the three northernmost islands of the Comoros declared independence.

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Mayotte uses French stamps. Stamped at Mamoudzou Kawéni post office (ROC code 25309A).

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

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The 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.

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(right) Suleiman Kabalan Frangieh(1910 - 1992) was President of Lebanon from 1970 to 1976.

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A beach from Dominican Republic

 

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Once ruled by Spain, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, a former French colony.

The Caribbean nation is a major tourist destination. The Dominican Republic has over 200 miles of spectacular beaches along the coastline of the island that stretches for over 800 miles. 

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IX Congreso de Botanica 2006

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Aloha from Hawai'i

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Aloha is a Hawaiian symbol. Aloha is the most Hawaiian word and in the Hawaiian language, it can mean hello or goodbye. Hawaii is the name of the entire state of Hawaii, as well as of the Big Island.

With 428 km of coastline, the Big Island of Hawaii is home to over one hundred diverse beaches.

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Ivory Coast | Cote D'Ivoire

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Ivory Coast is a West African state bordering Ghana in the east, Burkina Faso, Mali in the north, and Guinea and Liberia in the east. To the south lies the Atlantic Ocean.

The first Europeans to visit the area where the Portuguese and later other Europeans followed. Formal French colonial rule was introduced in the 1880s. In 1904, Ivory Coast became part of French West Africa until 1960 when the country regained independence from France.

The current population estimate is approximately 16 million. Abidjan is the economic and former official capital of Ivory Coast, while the current capital is Yamoussoukro.

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Bulgarian Churches

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The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has its origin in the flourishing Christian communities and churches, set up in the Balkans as early as the first centuries of the Christian era. 

About 6.7 million Bulgarians, 85 percent of the population, are officially registered as belonging to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. 

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From a set of 6 stamps about historical sites and fountains (1999).

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Sumrema Girl from Southern Ethiopia

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Ethiopia is a land locked country located in the Horn of Africa. Its is the second-most populated nation on the African continent, with over 91,000,000 inhabitants. Ethiopia is one of the oldest sites of human existence.

It is estimated that the Omo Valley is home to over 200,000 tribal people. Suri, also known as the Surma people live in the southwestern plains of Ethiopia.

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The bushbuck is the most widespread antelope in Sub-Saharan Africa.

From a set of 23! stamps, all picturing a Golden-backed Woodpecker.

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Bridges over the River Liffey, Dublin

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The River Liffey flows through the center of Dublin. The River has many bridges, but some are more famous than others.

In the front you see Ha’penny Bridge. Probably the most famous bridge in Ireland, the Ha’penny Bridge was the first pedestrian bridge built to cross the Liffey. It is so called because of the toll of a half penny to cross the bridge. The name of the bridge changed to Liffey Bridge, which remains the bridge's official name to this day.

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A Pike.

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The Non-Aligned Movement Monument from Guyana

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Guyana is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America. Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966. It is the only country in South America where English is the official language. 

The monument commemorates the 1972 Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non-Aligned countries when it was held in Guyana in 1972. The monument was unveiled in honor of the founders of the Non - Aligned Movement: President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, President Nehru of India and President Tito of Yugoslavia; the leaders who initiated the conference of Afro- Asian countries. 

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The Scarlet Ibis inhabits tropicalSouth America and islands of the Caribbean. 

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Second Line Jazz Band, New Orleans

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The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. French Quarter architecture is a mix of Spanish, French, Creole and American styles. Plastered walls and single chimneys reflect laws enacted after fire virtually destroyed the city in 1788 and 1794. Cast iron balconies were added to many masonry buildings after 1850, when Baroness Pontalba included them on her fashionable row houses near Jackson Square.

New Orleans jazz musicians perform on street corners. At funerals and celebrations alike, the audience frequently joins in to “ second line” , dancing as they follow the jazz band through the streets.

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Two out a set of four Christmas stamps 2012.

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Welcome to the... Bahamas

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“It’s quite literally heaven on Earth here. Just take one look at any of our breathtaking beaches, said to be sandier than most beaches in the region. Miles of pink or pure white powdery sand. Endless crystal-clear turquoise waves rolling onto the shore. And when you step into the ocean, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how clear the water is. You’ll see everything. Even your toes.”

The Bahamas is a country consisting of more than 3,000 islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Cuba and Hispaniola.

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From a set of 16 stamps about Bahamas marine life (2012): the Bonefish.

Bonefishes, Albula vulpes, prefer reefs, shallows, estuaries, bays, grass flats, and other brackish areas. They are found worldwide in subtropical warm seas.

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Ngo Mon of Hue, Vietnam

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The city of Hue served as the administrative centre of southern Vietnam (Dang Trong) in the 17th century and again in the 18th century.

Ngo Mon was constructed in 1833 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. Ngo Mon is the gate and leads to the Imperial Palace. It was the observation point for the Emperor to review his troops and for ceremonial use.

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A label.

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Hwaseong Fortress from South Korea

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What is today a designated UNESCO World Heritage site was the main line of military defense for Suwon city in the late-18th century. Hwaseong Fortress is located just 30 kilometers south of the nation’s capital, and it can be said that none of South Korea's other fortresses have been preserved or restored to Hwaseong’s level.

The walls of Hwaseong Fortress run for over five kilometers and it’s full of wonderfully preserved architectural features including floodgates, observation towers, gates (even secret gates), and bastions.

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From a set of four stamps about Daejoyeong of the Balhae Kingdom (2011).

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A postcard from the West Indies: Curacao

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“Un-drenched beaches, Clear Turquoise Ocean, and Unbelievable weather are just some of the few trademarks that make Curacao a true paradise to live in.”

Willemstad is the capital city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea. The historic centre of the city consists of two quarters: Punda and Otrobanda. The original name of Punda was “ de punt”  in Dutch. Otrobanda, which was founded in 1707, is the newer section of the city and is considered to be the cultural center of Willemstad. Its name originated from the Papiamentu otro banda, which means "the other side."

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A blue and yellow Cherubfish with two stars of the Curacao flag.

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Taraweeh prayers from The Holy Mosque | المسجد الحرام , Mecca

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The Holy Mosque,  also known as Al-Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest mosque in the world and the primary destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. The mosque complex covers an area of 356,800 square meters and can accommodate up to 820,000 worshippers during the Hajj.

When the month of Ramadan begins, Muslims enter into a period of discipline and worship:  fasting during the day, and praying throughout the day and night.  During Ramadan, special evening prayers are conducted during which long portions of the Qur'an are recited.  These special prayers are known as Taraweeh.

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To document the celebration of the National Day for the current year 1433-2012. According to Islamic calendar it is the year 1433.

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Islas de la Bahía | Bay Islands, Honduras

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"Honduras is filled with natural treasures – biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife refuges – but most travelers come here for the mother lode: scuba diving on the Bay Islands. The three Islas de la Bahía – Roatán, Utila and Guanaja – lie along the southern end of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-longest coral reef in the world.

Beneath the clear turquoise waters is a trove of unbelievable riches: vibrant coral, massive sponges, multicolored fish and large pelagic species, like manta rays, sea turtles and whale sharks."

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Beijing 2008 Olympics.

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Ramlet Al Bayda beach, Beirut

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Ramlet Al Bayda is a public beach in Beirut, Lebanon. The beach is situated along the southern end of the Corniche Beirut promenade.

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A 2012 Christmas stamp.

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Stavrovouni Monastery from Larnaca, Cyprus

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Stavrovouni is a hill in Cyprus, on top of which stands a Greek Orthodox Monastery. The monastery was constructed on the peak of the mountain of the same name in the District of Larnaca. Stavrovouni , as the name already says , is dedicated to the Holy Cross ; it can be derived from two words 'stavros '(cross) and 'vouno' (mountain).

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From a set of four stamps about London olympics 2012.

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Gali Ali Beg Waterfall in the Iraq Kurdistan Region

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The Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in federal Iraq. It borders Syria to the west, Iran to the east, and Turkey to the north.

The three northern provinces of Iraq blossomed into a quasi-independent state in the 21 years since the U.S. placed a protective umbrella - the 'no-fly zone' - over the region to stop a genocidal anti-Kurdish campaign waged by Saddam Hussein.  The area is Administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Turkey, Iran and Syria - all of which have sizeable Kurdish minorities they do not want to become autonomous - are viewing the KRG's progress with considerable concern. They fear full independence for Iraqi Kurdistan would set off a chain reaction in the region.

Erbil is a rich agricultural region and boasts some of the most ancient tourism sites in Iraq, along with beautiful mountains and waterfalls, like the Guli Ali Beg.

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