Fireworks over Douglas, capital of Isle of Man

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Douglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of about 29,000 people.

On the right you see part of the interior of the Gaiety Theatre & Opera House. The memorial stone is in honor of Sir William Hillary. He led the movement to form The National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck in 1824.

 

Stamps

Part of a set of 10 stamps to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Manx designer Archibald Knox. He was an internationally renowned artist and designer. 

Wishing you all a happy 2015!

Lundy Island

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Lundy is an island off the coast of North Devon in the Bristol Channel. Only three miles long and half a mile wide. With a permanent population of about 28 people and is visited by 20,000 day-trippers a year.

The island was privately owned by Martin Coles Harman and his family until 1968. Today the island is run by The National Trust. 

Stamp

Martin Coles Hartman was responsible for the establishment of the private postal system. The stamp on the left with a value of 95 Puffin (Lundy meaning Puffin Island in old Norse language) covers the expense to the mainland. The meter cancel is applied in Bideford on the mainland.

The Falkland Islands

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The isolated and sparsely-populated Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Falkland Islands, with a population of about 3,000 inhabitants, is a British overseas territory.

Besides the two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland, the archipelago comprises hundreds of smaller islands and islets. The islands' capital is Stanley on East Falkland.

The Falkland Islands are home to about 100,000 breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins.

Stamp

A matching stamp!

Catedral de Maringá - Brazil

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Catedral de Maringá is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the city of Maringá, Brazil. With 124 m in height it is the tallest church in South America. 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Isla de Formentera | Spain

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Formentera is the smallest and most southerly of Spain’s Balearic islands, located in the western Mediterranean Sea. The other three main islands are Ibiza, Minorca and Mallorca. With a population of just over 7000 and no airport, Formentera is much quieter than its neighbor Ibiza.

In the extreme north of the island "La Riada" is to be found, an installation with stones and other materials washed up on the coast, built by German artist Johannes Schultz.

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A stamp in remembrance of Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia (1947 – 2014).

Rosevelt Piek or Mamabobiberg | Suriname

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Rosevelt Piek is a 451 m high mountain peak in Suriname. The mountain is named Mamabobiberg in Suriname language. Mama = mama, bobo=breast and berg means mountain. 

Unalaska Island, Alaska

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Unalaska Island is one of the Aleutian Islands, a chain of 14 large volcanic islands and 55 smaller ones. Most of this archipelago belongs to Alaska (USA).

The island chain is situated between the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Bering Sea to the north. Dutch Harbor, well known for its king crab fishery, is located on nearby Amaknak Island.

White Island | New Zealand

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White Island is New Zealand’s only active marine volcano. It was named White Island by Captain Cook, the first European to sight the island in 1769. White Island has been in a near continuous stage of smoking since then.

Stamps

(right) The Antipodean albatross is a large albatross that breeds almost exclusively on the Auckland and Antipodes Islands.

The bird silhouette disappears if you warm up the stamp with your finger! 

Ancient city of Bagan | Myanmar

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Bagan is an ancient city located in central Burma (Myanmar). From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan. Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 

It is one of the world’s greatest archeological sites with 2,200 temples survive, a legacy of the Buddhist belief that to build a temple was to earn merit.

Stamp

A matching stamp.

Algiers, capital of Algeria

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Algiers is the capital and, with a population of about 2 million, the largest city of Algeria. El Djezaïr is Arabic for Algiers. The postcard shows the boulevard Mohamed Khemisti.

Stamps

(left) In 2004 Algeria issued a set of stamps all picturing roses. (right) In 1995 Algeria issued a set of four stamps about Pottery of Algeria.

United Nations - New York

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The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) is the postal agency of the United Nations. It issues postage stamps and postal stationery for the United Nations offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna. 

Sheikh Zayed Mosque | UAE

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The majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

 

This architectural work of art is one of the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for an astonishing 41,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over a 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand knotted carpet.

The mosque was initiated by the late President of UAE, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. 

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

Prabat Phonesan temple, Laos PDR

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Borikhamxay is a province of Laos, located in the middle of the country. The Prabat Phonesan temple is an important pilgrimage site. The people in the area believe that when someone is passing this place one must stop for a while to pray respect to the spirits for a good journey.

Stamps

(left) The giant devil catfish, part of a set of 4 stamps about Mekong River fish.

(right) The 60th Anniversary of Lao People Army (2009)

Macquarie Island - Australian Antarctic Territory

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Macquarie Island is a sub-Antarctic island located in the Southern Ocean, half way between Australia and Antarctica. The island is an Unesco World Heritage site.

 

The big belly animals resting on the beach are Southern elephant seals, the largest of all seals. These animals live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions but are rich in the fish, squid, and other marine foods these seals enjoy. They take their name from their trunk like inflatable snouts.

Stamp

Part of a set of four stamps, issued 2010, showing the beauty of Macquarie Island.  

Thx Steve!

Detaille Island - British Antarctic Territory

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Detaille Island is a small island just south of the Antarctic Circle and 11 miles east of Liard Island. It is home to a colony of 1,000 pairs of Adelie penguins. In 1956 a British research station was established on the island. This base was abandoned in 1959.

In 2009 the world's most southerly post office re opened in Antarctica 50 years after it was abandoned.

Stamp

Stamps are produced by the British Antarctic Territory, a separate postal entity. 

Thx Ruben!

The Estonian Island of Saaremaa

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Saaremaa, meaning "isle's land", is the largest island in Estonia. On the right you see the medieval Kuressaare Castle. The windmill is part of a group of five windmills, all located on the top of Windmill Mountain.

 

Stamps

Two stamps about very poisonous and potentially deadly mushrooms. On the left the deadly Amanita Virosa, commonly known as the European destroying angel. 

On the right the Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the dead cap. 

Along the Silk Road, ancient city of Khiva | Uzbekistan

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Khiva is an ancient city located in Xorazm Province, Uzbekistan. In the 10th century Khiva is mentioned as a major trading center on the Silk Road. Itchan Kala is the inner town, protected by brick walls some 10 m high, of the old Khiva oasis, which was the last resting-place of caravans before crossing the desert to Iran.

In 1990 the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thx Patrik!

New England Wilderness National Park | Australia

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New England National Park is a place of spectacular beauty and pristine wilderness. 

It is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. This site comprises the major remaining areas of rainforest in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.

Stamps

Three stamps that show the beauty of Christmas Island.