Los Portales de Toluca, Mexico

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Toluca or Toluca de Lerdo is the capital of the State of Mexico. After the creation of the State of Mexico in 1825, the state capital moved to different cities several times. Until in 1830, Toluca was finally designated as the constitutional capital of the State of Mexico. In 1832, the building of "Los Portales" was started in downtown Toluca.

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Saint Sava Temple | Храм Светог Саве from Serbia



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The Temple of Saint Sava is an Orthodox church which is dedicated to Saint Sava, founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church is built on the Vračar plateau, on the location where it is believed the remains of St. Sava were burned in 1595 by the Ottoman Empire's Sinan Pasha.

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A label.

The Islands of Brijuni, Croatia

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The Brijuni Islands are a group of fourteen small islands in the Croatian part of the northern Adriatic Sea. the islands are a holiday resort and a Croatian National Park.

“Today, the islands are a holiday destination once again with strangest offer on the whole of the Adriatic coast. Where else you can find fossilized dinosaur footprints, giant greenhouses, pigeon aviary, donkeys, ostriches, deer’s, squirrels and hares and other animals freely loose, well tanned parks full of Roman ruins, among them one of the most fascinating Roman villas in Verige bay, beautiful sunsets, old Mediterranean holm oak trees or pine trees and pleasant shingle beaches in the same time?”

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From a large set of stamps about Croatian Ethnographic Heritage.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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Hawaii is a group of volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean. Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959. It is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. The capital is Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive volcano.

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Kyrenia Harbour from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

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Northern Cyprus, is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus. Recognized only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community to be occupied territory. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot populations culminated in 1974 with a coup d'état, an attempt to annex the island to Greece, and an invasion by Turkey in response.

The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus is a demilitarized zone, patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), that was established in 1974 following the Turkish invasion.

Located in the beautiful and richly historic town of Kyrenia in northern Cyprus, Kyrenia Harbour is a small but charming place. The harbour is filled with yachts and boats.

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From a set of stamps about Turkish Cypriot Artists (issued 2011).

Bula! from Fiji Islands

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Set in the tropical South Pacific. The Fiji islands are surely the essence of a tropical island paradise. White Sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees and pristine oceans. The country comprises an archipelago of more than 332 islands, of which 110 are permanently inhabited. The majority of Fiji's islands were formed through volcanic activity started around 150 million years ago.

Bula, like the Italian prego or the Hawaiian aloha, is a word in the Fijian language that is now imbued with a variety of meanings, each of which depend on the given the situation. The word (pronounced as boolah) literally means “life” and is most commonly used as a greeting, meaning “hello!”.

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To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers: St Johns Ambulance.

With nearly 300,000 members in 42 countries, St John Ambulance has diversified to meet local community needs around the world. In addition to first aid activities, it has developed ophthalmic and dental care, primary health care, youth programmes, relief work and disaster planning.

Peggy's Cove - Nova Scotia

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Peggy’s Cove is a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margaret’s Bay in Nova Scotia.

According to legend, Peggy's Cove was named after the only survivor of a schooner that ran aground and sank in 1800... a woman named Margaret. Local folk called her "Peggy" and her home came to be known as Peggy's Cove. The original lighthouse was built in 1868.

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From a set of four stamps about Canadian baby wildlife: Moose calves.

The Twelve Apostles, Victoria - Australia

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The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.

You won't see 12 of these rock formations all at once, as they say some may be hidden from view from any of the vantage points. But, more importantly, there are no longer 12 rock formations, because a few have been eroded away by the action of wind and waves.

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From a set of 5 stamps about Australian Bush Babies: the Kangaroo (issues 2011).

The Kuwait Towers

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One of the most distinct architectural expressions in the Middle East. Designed by a Swedish architectural firm and opened in 1979, the largest of the three towers rises to a height of 187m, and house a two-level revolving observation deck, gift shop and café.

The lower globe on the largest tower stores around one million gallons of water.

The middle tower is also used for water storage, while the smallest tower is used to light up the other two. The design is excellent, being both very modern and very Arabic at the same time.

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From a set of 19(!) stamps: 50Th anniversary of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic development.

Islands of Honduras: Cayos Cochinos

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 “Forget Pirates of the Caribbean – the sand-dusted islands that float off the coast of Honduras are the real deal. In their heyday, the islands of Roatán, Utila and Guanaja were home to 5000 cutthroats, brigands and buccaneers, including the infamous Henry Morgan (aka Blackbeard). These days, the Bay Islands are better known for their beaches, diving an  laid-back tropical vibe.“

The Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands) is a small archipelago off the northern shores of Honduras. The islands are a Marine Protected Area and the coral reef here is part of the world's second largest coral reef system known as the Meso-American Barrier Reef.

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(right) A 2012 stamp to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Honduras and Korea.

Mosque of Hala Saltan Tekke, Cyprus

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Islam was introduced to Cyprus when Uthman the 3rd Caliph conquered in 649. Muslims lived over the whole area of Cyprus but since the1974 events they are now concentrated in Northern Cyprus. Until 1974, Turkish Cypriots (the Muslim community of Cyprus) made up 18% of the whole islands population. Today there are an estimated 264,172 Muslims based in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus.

The Hala Sultan (Umm Haram) Tekke stands next to the salt lake just south of Larnaca and is one of the first sights you see heading out of the airport.

 

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From a set of 3 stamps about Tall Ships, Galleon (issued 2011).

Traditional Vietnamese fishing

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Vietnam has a long coast of 3,444 kilometers. With its long coastline, Vietnam has an active fishing sector. There are many fishing techniques or methods for catching fish. Fishing techniques include hand gathering, spearfishing, netting, angling and trapping.

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(left) From a set of two stamps, issued 2012. Plumeria Obtusa,  also called Frangipanis have large white flowers with broad oval petals and golden center. In Vietnam quite popular flowers because they are easy to grow and they are often planted in the temples and shrines.

(right) Ao Dai is Vietnam's traditional dress, which was first designed over hundred years ago. It finally became Vietnam ladies' current formal dress, usually worn in formal events, festivals and is now a popular uniform for girl students.

Jeita Grotto | مغارة جعيتا

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The Jeita Grotto is made up of two limestone caves, upper galleries and a lower cave through which a 6230 m long river runs. The caves are situated 18 kilometres north of the Lebanese capital Beirut. It was one of the 28 finalists of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The Jeita Grotto is a popular recreational show cave and a major tourist attraction. It hosts approximately 280,000 visitors per year.

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The largest island from Germany: Rügen

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Rügen is Germany's largest island by area. The island has been one of Germany's most favored travel destinations for centuries and counted luminaries like Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein among its regular guests.

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(left) The Jasmund National Park is a nature reserve in the Jasmund peninsula, in the northeast of Rügen island. In 2011 the beech forest in Jasmund National Park was added to UNESCO World Heritage List.

Puerto de la Libertad, El Salvador

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El Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador.

“Puerto de la Libertad, the dynamic port town of La Libertad, located in the coastal crease of La Libertad state in El Salvador, is emerging as one of Central America’s best surfing destinations for international travelers.”

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(left) “Villa Palestina”, issued 2008.

There is a sizable population of persons of Palestinian heritage who live in El Salvador. During the Ottoman Empire, the Christians of Bethlehem sent the young people of the community to other countries, in order to prevent them from being drafted into the army. Some of them reached El Salvador, and today there is a community there of 70,000 Palestinian Christians.

A postcard from Transnistria | Pridnestrovie

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Transnistria is a breakaway territory located mostly on a strip of land between the River Dniester and the eastern Moldovan border with Ukraine.

Since its declaration of independence in 1990, and especially after the War of Transnistria in 1992, it is governed as Pridnestrovie, a sovereign state with limited recognition.

The Republic of Moldova does not recognise the secession and considers the territory to be part of Moldova's autonomous region of Stînga Nistrului ("Left Bank of the Dniester").

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From a set of two stamps to commemorate Olympic Games LONDON 2012: Cycling sports.

Archeoligical site Nora, Sardinia | Sardegna

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Sardinia is Italy's second largest island (after Sicily) and the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Cyprus). Numerous prehistoric castles, villages, temples and tombs dot the countryside.

Nora is an ancient Roman and pre-Roman town placed on a peninsula near Pula.

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A label.

Jvari Monastery | ჯვარი, ჯვრის მონასტერი from Georgia

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Mtskheta, located approximately 20 kilometers north of Tbilisi is one of the oldest cities of the country of Georgia. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Jvari Monastery (Monastery of the Cross) in Mtskheta is amongst the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture.

(source: wikipedia)

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Europa stamps 2009, Astronomy.

Bassin La Paix Waterfall, Reunion Island

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Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about 200 kilometres south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.

Bassin La Paix means pond of peace. It certainly looks like a peaceful place.  

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Réunion uses French stamps. The stamp on the right is from a set of 4 stamps, a joint issue with Hong Kong. Raymond Duchamp-Villon Le Cheval (1876 – 1918) was a French sculptor. His famous brother is Marcel Duchamp.

The Islands of Guernsey

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Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. It is not part of the UK and it is not part of the European Union. Guernsey has its own stamps and currency, and while British pounds can be used on the island, Guernsey pounds cannot be used in the UK.

“A heady mix of stunning scenery and the best of contemporary living, Guernsey is the perfect destination. Inspiring walks along the cliff paths, rambles through the rural interior or lazy days on the island’s beautiful beaches, Guernsey has it all.”

The postcard pictures three islands of Guernsey: Sark, Guernsey and Herm. Alderny is the fourth island.

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From a set of six Europa stamps, themed visit…: Bluestone Bay, Alderny.

Thx John!

A postcard from Tasmania

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Hobart is Tasmania’s harbour capital, located in the south-east of the state at the foot of majestic Mount Wellington. The city was settled in 1804 by Lieutenant Governor Collins and grew rapidly as the clearing house for British and Irish convicts. At that time it was known as Van Diemens Land. Britain finally ended all transportation of convicts to the colony in 1853. In 1855 the colony officially became known as Tasmania.

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From a set of six stamps about road trips. This one is picturing Phillip Island, where Little Penguins parade from beach to sand dunes at sunset each eve.