Russia - Kul Shariff Mosque

The opening of Kul Sharif mosque (24/06/2005).

Sent by Irina, a postcrosser from Russia.

This is from Wikipedia : The Qolşärif mosque (pronounced [kɔlʃæˈriːf], also spelled Qol Sharif, Kol Sharif, Qol Sherif via Tatar: Колшәриф мәчете and Kul Sharif via Russian: мечеть Кул-Шариф) located in Kazan Kremlin, was reputed to be -at the time of its construction- the largest mosque in Russia, and in Europe outside of Istanbul (read further).

Estonia - Traditional Costumes

Two girls in traditional costumes.

Sent by Piret, a postcrosser from Talinn, Estonia.

Finland - Ancient Costume of Perniö

Ancient costume of Perniö in West Finland. It's dated back to year 1150.

Sent by DotDot, a postcrosser from Helsinki, Finland.

Netherlands - Familie Hofmann

Traditional costumes of the Netherlands.

Sent by Nanda, a postcrosser from Sas van Gent, the Netherlands.

Finland - Tradition of Pole Decorating

Finnish tradition of pole decorating, mainly by Swedish-speaking folk. The tradition takes place in mid-summer.

Sent by Vuokko, a postcrosser from Finland.

Czech Republic - Rudolfinum

Rudolfinum, a music music auditorium in Prague, Czech Republic.

Sent by Jana, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : The Rudolfinum is a music auditorium in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of the most important neo-renaissance buildings in the city and is situated at Jan Palach Square on the bank of the river Vltava.

Since 1946 the Rudolfinum has been the home-stage of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the main venues performed in the Dvořák Hall for the Prague Spring International Music Festival held each year in May and June. The building was designed by architect Josef Zítek and his student Josef Schulz, and was opened February 8, 1885. It is named in honour of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria, who presided over the opening.

Dvořák Hall in the Rudolfinum, one of the oldest concert halls in Europe, is famous for its acoustics. On 4 January 1896 the Czech Philharmonic’s very first concert took place here conducted by the famous Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.

The building also contains the Galerie Rudolfinum, an important Art Gallery that focuses mainly on contemporary art. Major exhibitions have included: František Drtikol - Photographer, Painter, Mystic, (1998), Cindy Sherman: Retrospective, (1998), Jürgen Klauke: Side Effect, (1998), Czech Photography 1840-1950, (2004), Annelies Štrba, (2005), Neo Rauch: Neue Rollen, (2007), Uncertain States of America, (2007-2008), Gottfried Helnwein: Angels Sleeping, (2008).

Latvia

LATVIA
The Baltic Sea at the background.

Sent by Laura, a postcrosser from Riga, Latvia.

USA - Arkansas - Arkansas River

ARKANSAS RIVER
A late afternoon view as seen from an overlook in central Arkansas.

Sent by Jackie, a WiP partner from USA.

This is from Wikipedia : The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas River Valley where the headwaters derive from the snowpack in the Collegiate Peaks. Then it flows east into the Midwest through Kansas and Oklahoma, and finally into the South through southeastern Oklahoma and Arkansas.

At 1,469 miles (2,364 km), it is the sixth longest river in the United States, the second-longest tributary in the Mississippi-Missouri system, and the 45th longest river in the world. Its origin is in the Rocky Mountains in Lake County, Colorado, near Leadville. In 1859 placer gold was discovered in the Leadville area bringing thousands seeking to strike it rich, however the easily recovered placer gold was quickly exhausted. The Arkansas River's mouth is at Napoleon, Arkansas, and its drainage basin covers nearly 170,000 sq mi (440,300 km²). In terms of volume, the river is much smaller than both the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, with a mean discharge of roughly 41,000 cubic feet per second (1,200 m3/s).

The Arkansas from its headwaters to the 100th meridian west formed part of the US-Mexico border from the Adams-Onís Treaty (in force 1821) until the Texas Annexation or Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo.

French Polynesia - Bora Bora

One of the chalet hotels in Bora Bora.

Sent by Poerava from Tahiti in French Polynesia.

Note : The stamps on the envelope went missing. There was no sign of theft and I believed the stamps must have been peeled off somewhere during the delivery.


This is from Wikipedia : Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The original name of the island in the Tahitian language might be better rendered as Pora Pora, meaning "First Born"; an early transcription found in 18th- and 19th-century accounts, is Bolabolla or Bollabolla. The island, located about 230 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft).

Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. The island is served by Bora Bora Airport on Motu Mete in the north, with Air Tahiti providing daily flights to and from Papeete on Tahiti. The major settlement, Vaitape is on the western side of the main island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon. Produce of the island is mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and the plentiful coconut trees, which were historically of economic importance for copra. According to a census performed in 2008, the permanent population of Bora Bora is 8,880.

Chile - Barrio La Matriz de Valparaiso

CHILE
Valparaiso
Barrio La Matriz

Sent by my good friend Hernán from Santiago de Chile. 'Terima kasih' for the beautiful stamps.

Kenya - Jambo From Kenya

Jambo From Kenya.

Sent from Nairobi by Hary who was visiting the country.

USA - Utah - Canyonlands National Park (2)

Canyonlands National Park
Mesa Arch
Rays from Canyon sunrise steam through Mesa Arch at the Island in the Sky District. Spectacular views from the high mesa abound, delighting the eye with formations such as Washer Woman Arch in the distance. White Rim Sandstone accents the canyon rim 1,000 feet below the mesa top.

Sent by Michele, a postcrosser from USA.

This is from Wikipedia : Canyonlands National Park is a U.S. National Park located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab and preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries. The park is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character. The park covers 527.5 square miles (1,366 km2). Canyons are carved into the Colorado Plateau by the Colorado River and Green River. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Canyonlands as "the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth—there is nothing else like it anywhere."

Canyonlands is a popular recreational destination. On average 423,792 people visited the park each year. The geography of the park is well suited to a number of different recreational uses. Hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers, and four-wheelers all enjoy traveling the rugged, remote trails within the Park. Rafters and kayakers float the calm stretches of the Green River and Colorado River above the confluence. Below the confluence Cataract Canyon contains powerful whitewater rapids, similar to those found in the Grand Canyon.

The Island in the Sky district, with its proximity to the Moab, Utah area, attracts the majority (59 percent) of park users. The Needles district is the second most visited, drawing 35 percent of visitors. The rivers within the park and the remote Maze district each only account for 3 percent of park visitation.

Political compromise at the time of the park's creation limited the protected area to an arbitrary portion of the Canyonlands basin. Conservationists hope to complete the park by bringing the boundaries up to the high sandstone rims that form the natural border of the Canyonlands landscape.

Switzerland - Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes

Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sent by Verena, a postcrosser from Luzern, Switzerland.

This is from UNESCO : Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes, brings together two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss Alps through two passes. Opened in 1904, the Albula line in the north western part of the property is 67 km long. It features an impressive set of structures including 42 tunnels and covered galleries and 144 viaducts and bridges. The 61 km Bernina pass line features 13 tunnels and galleries and 52 viaducts and bridges. The property is exemplary of the use of the railway to overcome the isolation of settlements in the Central Alps early in the 20th century, with a major and lasting socio-economic impact on life in the mountains. It constitutes an outstanding technical, architectural and environmental ensemble and embodies architectural and civil engineering achievements, in harmony with the landscapes through which they pass.

Australia - New South Wales

Sunrise Australia
The sun rises over the horizon in coastal New South Wales.

Sent by Alison, a WiP partner from Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : New South Wales (abbreviated as NSW), is Australia's most populous state, and is located in the south-east of the country, north of Victoria, south of Queensland, east of South Australia and encompasses the whole of the Australian Capital Territory. The colony of New South Wales was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland, as well as Van Diemen's Land, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island in addition to the area currently referred to as the state of New South Wales, which was formed during Federation in 1901.

When Britain annexed New Zealand in 1840, it briefly became a part of New South Wales. During the 19th century large areas were successively separated to form the British colonies of Tasmania (established as a separate colony named Van Diemen's Land in 1825), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851) and Queensland (1859).

Inhabitants of New South Wales are referred to as New South Welshmen. New South Wales's largest city and capital is Sydney.

New South Wales contains one third (33%) of Australia's population.

Kookaburra

Kookaburra
This unique bird is often called Giant Kingfisher, Laughing Jackass and Settlers Clock. Its laughing notes are heard mainly in the early morning or at sunset. Its food consists of small lizards and snakes up to 2ft. 6ins. in length.

Sent by Russell, a postcrosser from New Zealand.

Czech Republic - Mapcard of Krkonoše

The postcard shows map of Krkonoše Range.

Sent by Ota, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : Krkonoše [ˈkr̩konoʃɛ](in Czech; also Karkonosze [karkɔˈnɔʂɛ] in Polish, Riesengebirge in German, or the Giant Mountains in English) is a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system (part of the Bohemian Massif). The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge. The highest peak, Sněžka (Polish: Śnieżka), is the Czech Republic's highest point with an elevation of 1,602 metres (5,256 ft).

On both sides of the border, large areas of the mountains are designated national parks (the Krkonoše National Park in the Czech Republic and the Karkonosze National Park in Poland), and these together constitute a cross-border biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. The River Elbe rises within the Krkonoše. The range has a number of major ski resorts, and is a popular destination for tourists engaging in downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, cycling and other activities.

Germany - Schauinsland

FREIBURG
Schauinsland, Bergstation.

Sent by Sabine, a WiP partner from Germany.

This is from Wikipedia : The Schauinsland (literally "look into the country"; near Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany), is a mountain in the Black Forest with an elevation of 1,284 m (4213 ft) above sea level.

The area is suitable for a number of outdoor adventurous activities including hiking, skiing and mountain biking. There is also a solar observatory nearby, a Global Atmosphere Watch monitoring station, and the Eugen-Keidel Tower. Especially in autumn, during temperature inversion, there is a nice view of the Vosges mountains from the top of the Schauinsland. Under appropriate weather conditions there is an excellent view of a large portion of the Swiss Alps.

The summit of the mountain can be reached on the Schauinslandbahn, a gondola lift that ascends from Horben. The lower station of this can be reached by bus route 21 from the terminus of Freiburg city tram route 2 at Günterstal. All three lines are operated by VAG Freiburg, the city transport operator for Freiburg.

There is also a 12 km (7.5 mile) long, twisty road leading up the mountain, which has been used for hillclimbing races. In some years, it also hosted the Großer Bergpreis von Deutschland, for example on September 27 1936 when it was won by Bernd Rosemeyer.

On 17 April 1936 a group of English pupils and their teacher Kenneth Keast were caught in a snow storm. They got lost, and five of them died. In 1938 the Engländerdenkmal of architect Hermann Alker (Karlsruhe) was erected by the Hitler Youth in commemoration.

For over 700 years lead, silver and zinc were mined in the area. Production ceased in 1954, but a museum and narrow gauge railway remain.

Germany - Görlitz

Görlitz, historical buildings in the historical town centre.

Sent by Ariane, a postcrosser from Görlitz in Germany.

This is from Wikipedia : Görlitz ([ˈɡœɐ̯lɪts ]; Upper Sorbian: Zhorjelc, Lower Sorbian: Zgórjelc, Czech: Zhořelec) is a town in Germany. It is the easternmost town in the country, located on the Lusatian Neisse River in the Bundesland (Federal State) of Saxony. It is opposite the Polish town of Zgorzelec, which was a part of Görlitz until 1945. Historically, Görlitz was in the region of Upper Lusatia. However, in 1815, some parts of Lusatia were integrated into the Province of Silesia, and later into the Province of Lower Silesia. Görlitz is the largest city of the former Province of Lower Silesia that lies west of the Oder-Neisse line and is hence the largest city of that province that is still part of Germany today. Therefore it is considered the most Silesian city, in terms of character, in Germany today. This is not unjustified since the city adapted to a large extent to the rest of Silesia when it was part of it administratively. It is the easternmost town in Germany and the capital of the district of Görlitz. Today the city combines Lusatian and Silesian traditions as well as German and Sorbian culture influenced by the proximity to Poland. Görlitz is the largest city in the Silesian part of the current Germany.

Netherlands - Brabant (2)

Views of Brabant.

Sent by Denise, a postcrosser from Valkenswaard in the Netherlands.

Germany - Mapcard of Hamburg (2)

A mapcard of Hamburg.

Sent by Lily, a postcrosser from Hamburg, Germany.

Algeria - Ghardaïa

ALGERIA - Ghardaïa.
Girl in traditional dress.

Sent by Faiza from Annaba in Algeria.

This is from Wikipedia : Ghardaïa (Arabic: غرداية , Mozabite: ) is the capital city of Ghardaïa Province, Algeria. The commune of Ghardaïa has a population of 104,645, with 82,500 in the main city according to 2005 estimates. It is located in northern-central Algeria in the Sahara Desert and lies along the left bank of the Wadi Mzab. The M'zab valley in the Ghardaïa Province (Wilaya) was inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982, as a cultural property evaluated under the criteria II ( for its settlement having an impact on urban planning even to the present century), III (for its Ibadi cultural values), and V (a settlement culture which has prevailed to the present century).

Ghardaïa is part of a pentapolis, a hilltop city amongst four others, built almost a thousand years ago, and founded by the Mozabites a Muslim Ibadi sect (non-Arabic Muslims, including the Berbers) in the M’Zab valley. It is a major centre of date production and the manufacture of rugs and cloths. Divided into three walled sectors, it is a fortified town. At the centre is the historical Mʾzabite area, with a pyramid-style mosque and an arcaded square. Distinctive white, pink, and red houses, made of sand, clay and gypsum, rise in terraces and arcades. In her 1963 book, La force des choses the French existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir described Ghardaia as "a Cubist painting beautifully constructed".

The name of Ghardaïa has its origins in a female saint named Daïa who lived in a cave (ghār) in the area before it blossomed into a town inhabited by Kharijite Muslims who came to escape persecution from Orthodox Muslims in the north.

United Kingdom- England - Mapcard of Essex

A mapcard of Essex.

Sent from Spain by Audrey, a postcrosser from England.

This is from Wikipedia : Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London and is one of the most populous counties in England. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west. Essex County Council is the principal local authority for much of the county, sharing functions with twelve district councils. The county town is Chelmsford. The southern Essex boroughs of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea are governed separately as unitary authorities. It was established in antiquity and formed the eastern portion of the Kingdom of Essex. Sections of the county closer to London are part of the Metropolitan Green Belt, which prohibits development. It is the location of the regionally significant Lakeside Shopping Centre and London Stansted Airport; and the new towns of Basildon and Harlow.

Poland - Nowy Wiśnicz

The Carmelite Church in Nowy Wiśnicz.

Sent by Wanda, a WiP partner from Poland.

This is from Wikipedia : Nowy Wiśnicz [ˈnɔvɨ ˈviɕnit​͡ʂ] (Yiddish: ווישניצא Vishnitsa) is a small town in Bochnia County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland, with 2,724 inhabitants (2004). It is located 4 miles south of Bochnia.

The Carmelite Church in Nowy Wiśnicz was established by Stanisław Lubomirski, voivode of Kraków to commemorate the victory over the Turks in the Battle of Khotyn (1621). It was constructed according to design by Matteo Trapola between 1631-35. The interior was embellished with profuse early baroque stucco decorations by Giovanni Battista Falconi, frescoes by Mathäus Ingermann of Rome, 8 marble altars with oil paintings by Ingermann and probably by José de Ribera (the founder was a passionate collector of European art). Between 1942-44 the interior was devastated by the Germans and eventually the church had been demolished.

Germany - Sinzig Castle

Sinzig Castle in Sinzig, Germany.

Sent by Sabine, a WiP partner from Germany.

This is from Wikipedia : Sinzig is a town in the district of Ahrweiler, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the river Rhine, approx. 5 km south-east of Remagen and 25 km south-east of Bonn, and it has approximately 20,000 inhabitants (2004).

Sinzig received its first official recognition in 762 A.D. On the tenth of July, King Pippin the Younger, the father of Charlemagne, presented a certificate of his decree in the Palace of Sinzig (Sentiaco Palacio), officially recognizing the city as "Sentiacum." Sinzig first received its rights as a city on October 9, 1267.

Because of the influence Emperor Frederick Barbarossa had on the town, it is nicknamed a "Barbarossa town".

Twice, the medieval city, which since 1300 has been protected by a massive wall, was almost entirely destroyed by fires, one in 1583 and another in 1758. Little of the wall now remains, as the industrialization and development of the city led to its nearly complete loss at the end of the 19th century. After World War II, Sinzig experienced a population explosion and soon evolved into an industrial city.

With the district reform of 1969, Bad-Bodendorf, Franken, Koisdorf, Löhndorf, and Westum became provinces of Sinzig. Today, Sinzig, together with the city of Remagen, have developed a modern consumer center, with multiple schools and shopping centers.

There is no point in the "Golden Mile" where the defining icon of Sinzig, the parish church Saint Peter, cannot be seen. The late-Roman Basilica is one of the most meaningful pieces of roman architecture, reason enough for the church to be added to the United Nations' list of "World Culture Heritage" artifacts.

The Sinziger Schloss (Sinzig Castle) was built in the period of the Rhine Romantic. Between 1854 and 1858, the businessman Gustav Bunge of Cologne ordered the erection of a summer villa in Sinzig in the style of a neo-gothic palace. Encompassing the palace is a garden, constructed in the style of a Romantic park. The castle has now been converted into a museum.

Netherlands - Nijmegen (2)

Voormalige Latin School in Nijmegen.

Sent by Joke, a WiP partner from the Netherlands.