Elephants at Mount Kilimanjaro

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With 6,000 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro is both Africa’s tallest mountain and the world's highest solitary peak. Mt Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones. The 756-square-kilometer Kilimanjaro National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the few places on earth that encompasses every ecological life zone including tropical jungle, savannah, and desert to montane forests, subalpine plants, and the alpine zone above timberline.

 

Since 1912 the mountain has lost 82% of its ice cap and since 1962 55% of its remaining glaciers. The mountain is forecast to lose its ice cap within 20 years. This may be local evidence of climate warming but may also be due to the loss of humidity caused by deforestation and clearing for farms.

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Zanzibar attractions Series II, Ngalawa sailing off the Jambian coast. The Ngalawa is a traditional, double-outrigger canoe of the Swahili people living in Zanzibar and the Tanzanian coast.  

St Barnabas Monastery, Famagusta, Northern Cyprus

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Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus. It is the ‘de facto’ capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Turkey.

St Barnabas, a Cypriot Jew, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem. He was one of the founders of the independent Greek Orthodox church, and is the patron saint of Cyprus.

The building that we see today dates from the 1750s. Once the centre of the Cyprus Orthodox church, the monastery is still in good condition. The monastery of St Barnabas is very important to the Orthodox Church, and is considered a place of pilgrimage. 

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In 2012 Northern Cyprus issued a set of two Europa stamps. Stamps issued by Northern Cyprus aren't recognized on an international level. Mail sent from TRNC is handled by Turkish mail.

The Island of Lefkada | Lefkas: Katsiki beach

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The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. The seven main islands are Corfu, Paxos,  Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Cythera. But the group includes many smaller islands.

One of the most famous beaches on Lefkada island, Porto Katsiki is really unique for the strange shape and formation of its coast. An amazing white-sand beach is hidden right below the steep slopes.

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In 2012 Greek post issued a set of 6 stamps about popular outdoor activities. This stamp pictures kayaking on the Acheron River.

Tomb of the Kings - Cyprus

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The Tombs of the Kings is a large necropolis lying about two kilometres north-west of Paphos harbour in Cyprus. The underground tombs are carved out of solid rock .The name of the site is misleading—there's no evidence of any royalty buried here. Rather, the site was the final resting place of about 100 Ptolemaic aristocrats who lived and died in Paphos beginning in the 3rd century BC.

Early antiquarians dubbed the site the "Tombs of the Kings" due to the impressiveness of the tombs, and the name has stuck.

Tombs of the Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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From a set of four stamps about London olympics 2012.

Riviera Maya - Mexico

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The Riviera Maya extends along the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Once home to small fishing villages, the Riviera Maya coastline has since been developed into a modern tourist corridor offering high-end luxury resorts, fine dining, nightlife, spa retreats, shopping and golf in Mexico. 

 

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Centenary of the birth of Mexican astronomer Guillermo Haro Barraza (March 21, 1913 – April 26, 1988).

Shiraito-no-taki Waterfall | 白糸の滝, Japan

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The Shiraito Waterfall is located on the quieter western slopes of Mt Fuji. Falling from a 200meters wide cliff side, these falls derive their name Shiraito (white threads) from the beautiful way they remind the viewer of strands of silk.

The water comes from Mount Fuji, flowing down via the Kaotou river. The falls are particularly attractive in spring as the snows of the mountain melt and strengthen the flow.

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Die Sonneninsel: the Isle of Usedom | Uznam

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The island of Usedom is Germany’s second largest island, located on the border between Germany and Poland. The island is divided in a German part (Usedom) and a Polish part (Uznam).

With an annual average of 1906 sunshine hours, the island of Usedom is the sunniest region of Germany: Sonneninsel. A popular tourist destination.

 

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The Fehmarnsundbrücke connects the German island of Fehmarn in the Baltic Sea with the German mainland. In April 2013 its 50th birthday was celebrated.

Bled Island – Slovenia’s Fairy Tale Isle

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Bled is a town in Slovenia, on the east side of Lake Bled. The town features a small island in the middle of  an emerald green mountain lake. The only real island in the virtually land-locked country.

The island is tiny but over the centuries people have wasted no time using virtually every square meter to one purpose or another. The island is home to the Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church, built in the 15th century and known by its visitors because of the 99 steps that lead up to the church. Traditionally, local grooms carry their brides up these steps while the bride remains perfectly silent, in order to bring them happiness in the future.

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Isle of Wight

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The Isle of Wight known to the ancient Romans as Vectis, is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel. The island’s population is about 120,000. One million people spend their holidays on the Isle of Wight each year.

 

The 'Wonders of the Isle of Wight' is a play-on words based on the name of Island Towns or Places.

"Lake" where there is no water.

The "Needles" you cannot thread.

"Ryde" where you walk.

"Cowes" you cannot milk.

"Freshwater" you cannot drink.

"Newport" you cannot bottle.

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Cairo - The Egyptian Museum

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The Egyptian Museum, in Cairo, Egypt, is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. One of them is the solid gold innermost coffin of Tutankhamen.

Tutankhamun, or better known as King Tut, is an 18th dynasty pharaoh who inherited the throne at a young age. His reign was short-lived and upon his death he quickly faded into the sands of Egypt. Once forgotten, King Tut now remains one of Egypt’s grandest icons. The tomb of Tutankhamen is better than any other pharaoh, because of all the royal tombs, it was found mostly intact. 

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Cape Greco lighthouse, built in 1892.

The card was sent from Cyprus, still a great card! thx Steve.

Dar Es Salaam - Capital city of Tanzania?

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The City of Dar es Salaam (meaning “The abode of peace") is the largest city in Tanzania. In 1974 Dar es Salaam lost its official status as capital city to Dodoma, where the country's parliament and some government offices are located.

 

So Dodoma is the "official" capital, but many think and feel Dar Es Salaam is still the capital of Tanzania.

Dhow is the generic name of a number of traditional sailing vessels with one or more masts with lateen sails used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region. 

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In May 2005 Tanzania post issued many stamps about Jules Verne (1828 - 1905), a French novelist, poet, and playwright best known for his adventure novels and science fiction. The Castle of the Carpathians is a novel by Jules Verne first published in 1893.

Beirut - Paris of the East - Capital of Lebanon

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The capital and largest city of Lebanon with over 1 million inhabitants is located in the western part of the country on the Mediterranean Sea.

The Beirut Central District or Centre Ville is the name given to Beirut’s historical and geographical heart. The district is a cluster of stone-façade buildings lining arcaded streets and radial alleyways. The architecture of the area is a mix of French Architecture and Venetian Gothic architecture mixed with Arabesque and Ottoman influences.

The District contains tens of restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as a wide range of shopping stores mainly in Beirut Souks.

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St. George's Cathedral - Georgetown - Guyana

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St. George's Cathedral (1890) is an Anglican cathedral in Georgetown, Guyana and is one of the tallest wooden churches in the World.

Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana.

The National Library of Guyana was founded in 1909. 

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The Neotropic Cormorant can be found throughout the American tropics and subtropics. Its diet consists mainly of small fish, but will also eat tadpoles, frogs, and aquatic insects. This bird species forages for food by diving underwater

San Miguel Cathedral - Tegucigalpa - Honduras

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The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa, Honduras' largest and most populous city. The city was founded by Spanish settlers in 1578.

Tegucigalpa's cathedral, built around 1782, is located in the old historial center of  town and is named after and dedicated to Archangel Michael.

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