Guyana - Georgetown

Georgetown - Capital of Guyana
The Garden City.

Sent by Postcard Locker.

Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 (2002 Guyana census), is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at 6°48′N 58°10′W. The city serves primarily as a retail and administrative centre. It also serves as a financial services centre.

The city of Georgetown began as a small town in the 18th century. Originally, the capital of the Demerara-Essequibocolony was located on Borselen Island in the Demerara River under the administration of the Dutch. When the colony was captured by the British in 1781, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Kingston chose the mouth of the Demerara River for the establishment of a town which was situated between Plantations Werk-en-rust and Vlissengen.

It was the French who developed this town and made it their capital city when they captured the colony in 1782. The French called the capital La Nouvelle Ville. When the town was restored to the Dutch in 1784, it was renamed Stabroekafter Nicolaas Geelvinck, Lord of Stabroek, and President of the Dutch West India Company. Eventually the town expanded and covered the estates of Vlissengen, La Bourgade and Eve Leary to the North, and Werk-en-rust and La Repentir to the South. Brickdam, the first paved road, was built by the French.

It was renamed Georgetown on 29 April 1812 in honour of King George III. On 5 May 1812 an ordinance was passed to the effect that the town formerly called Stabroek, with districts extending from La Penitence to the bridges in Kingston and entering upon the road to the military camps, shall be called Georgetown. (read further)

Bicycle (34)

Sent by Frank, a postcrosser from Illinois, USA.

Indonesia - Wayang Puppet Theatre

Javanese Wayang Kulit puppet performance - A shadowy world where good and evil contend.

Sent by Shinta from Semarang,Indonesia.

Renowned for its elaborate puppets and complex musical styles, this ancient form of storytelling originated on the Indonesian island of Java. For ten centuries wayang flourished at the royal courts of Java and Bali as well as in rural areas. Wayang has spread to other islands (Lombok, Madura, Sumatra and Borneo) where various local performance styles and musical accompaniments have developed.

While these carefully handcrafted puppets vary in size, shape and style, two principal types prevail: the three-dimensional wooden puppet (wayang klitik or golèk) and the flat leather shadow puppet (wayang kulit) projected in front of a screen lit from behind. Both types are characterized by costumes, facial features and articulated body parts. The master puppeteer (dalang) manipulates the swivelling arms by means of slender sticks attached to the puppets. Singers and musicians play complex melodies on bronze instruments and gamelan drums. In the past, puppeteers were regarded as cultivated literary experts who transmitted moral and aesthetic values through their art. The words and actions of comic characters representing the “ordinary person” have provided a vehicle for criticizing sensitive social and political issues, and it is believed that this special role may have contributed to wayang’s survival over the centuries. Wayang stories borrow characters from indigenous myths, Indian epics and heroes from Persian tales. The repertory and performance techniques were transmitted orally within the families of puppeteers, musicians and puppet-makers. Master puppeteers are expected to memorize a vast repertory of stories and to recite ancient narrative passages and poetic songs in a witty and creative manner. (Source).

Guyana - Ramphastos Toco

Ramphastos Toco
A resident of Guyana's rainforest canopy.

Sent by Postcard Locker.

The Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco), also known as the Toucan or Common Toucan, is the largest and probably the best knownspecies in the toucan family. It is found in semi-open habitats throughout a large part of central and eastern South America. It is a common attraction in zoos.
The Toco Toucan has a striking plumage with a mainly black body, a white throat, chest and uppertail-coverts, and red undertail-coverts. What appears to be a blue iris is actually thin blue skin around the eye. This blue skin is surrounded by another ring of bare, orange skin. The most noticeable feature, however, is its huge bill, which measures from 15.8 to 23 cm (6.2 to 9.1 in) in length, which is yellow-orange, tending to deeper reddish-orange on its lower sections and culmen, and with a black base and large spot on the tip. It looks heavy, but as in other toucans it is relatively light because the inside largely is hollow. The tongue is nearly as long as the bill and very flat. This species is the largest toucan and the largest representative of the order Piciformes. The total length of the species is 55–65 cm (22–26 in). Body weight in these birds can vary from 500 to 876 g (1.1 to 1.93 lb), with males averaging 723 g (1.59 lb) against the smaller female, which averages 576 g (1.27 lb). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 22 to 26 cm (8.7 to 10 in), the tail is 14.1 to 17.9 cm (5.6 to 7.0 in) and the tarsus is 4.8 to 6.5 cm (1.9 to 2.6 in). Other than the size difference, there is no external differences between the sexes. Juveniles are duller and shorter-billed than adults. Its voice consists of a deep, coarse croaking, often repeated every few seconds. It also has a rattling call and will bill-clack. (Source)

USA - Tennessee - Mapcard (3)

TENNESSEE, the Volunteer State,became the 16th state on June 1, 1796. Music is probably the state's number one commodity to the world with the blues born on Beale St. in Memphis and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the Capital.

Sent by Susan, a postcrosser from Memphis in Tennessee.

USA - North Carolina - Mapcard (3)

Sent by Michelle, a postcrosser from North Carolina, USA.

Finland - Kouvola

FINLAND
Kouvola

Sent by Maini, a postcrosser from Finland.

Kouvola is a town and municipality in southeastern Finland. It is located 134 kilometres (83 mi) northeast of the capital, Helsinki.

The city has a population of 87,331 (28 February 2013) and covers an area of 2,883.30 square kilometres (1,113.25 sq mi) of which 325.06 km² (125.51 sq mi) is water. The population density is 34.14 inhabitants per square kilometre (88.4 /sq mi).

Kouvola's central location within Finland's borders and as a border post between the European Union and Russian Federationmakes it a quite lively town. The town originally grew up around the junction of the north–south and east–west rail tracks. It was also a major road transport junction.

In January 2009, the six municipalities – Kouvola, Kuusankoski, Elimäki, Anjalankoski, Valkeala and Jaala – were consolidated, forming the new municipality of Kouvola. Kouvola can now claim the natural beauty of Valkeala and Jaala as well as the cultural heritage of Elimäki and Anjalankoski as its own. Kouvola has also assumed the slogan Kymijoen kaupunki (the town of Kymijoki) previously used by Anjalankoski. (Source)

Ukraine - Mapcard (2)

Sent by Elena, a postcrosser from Ukraine.

Germany - Bonn (2)

Multiviews of Bonn with the bronze statue/monument of Beethoven that stands on the Münsterplatz in Bonn.

Sent by Rose, a postcrosser who lives near Cologne.

Burundi - Lake Tanganyika

BURUNDI 
Lake Tanganyika 

Sent by Ally from Bujumbura in Burundi.

Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake. It is estimated to be the second largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, and thesecond deepest, in both cases, after only Lake Baikal in Siberia; it is also the world's longest freshwater lake. The lake is divided among four countries – Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Zambia, with Tanzania (46%) and the DRC (40%) possessing the majority of the lake. The water flows into the Congo River system and ultimately into the Atlantic Ocean.

The lake is situated within the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the geographic feature known as the East African Rift, and is confined by the mountainous walls of the valley. It is the largest rift lake in Africa and the second largest lake by volume in the world. It is the deepest lake in Africa and holds the greatest volume of fresh water. It extends for 676 km (420 mi) in a general north-south direction and averages 50 km (31 mi) in width. The lake covers 32,900 km² (12,700 sq mi), with a shoreline of 1,828 km (1,136 mi) and a mean depth of 570 m (1,870 ft) and a maximum depth of 1,470 m (4,820 ft) (in the northern basin) it holds an estimated 18,900 cubic kilometres (4,500 cu mi). It has an average surface temperature of 25 °C and a pH averaging 8.4.

The enormous depth and tropical location of the lake can prevent 'turnover' of water masses, which means that much of the lower depths of the lake is so-called 'fossil water' and is anoxic (lacking oxygen). The catchment area of the lake covers 231,000 km², with two main rivers, flowing into the lake, numerous smaller rivers and streams (due to the steep mountains that keep drainage areas small), and one major outflow, the Lukuga River, which empties into the Congo River drainage.

The major river that flows into this lake, beginning 10.6 ka, is the Ruzizi River, entering the north of the lake from Lake Kivu. TheMalagarasi River, which is Tanzania's second largest river, enters the east side of Lake Tanganyika. The Malagarasi is older than Lake Tanganyika and before the lake was formed directly drained into the Congo river.

The lake's high altitude, great depth, slow rate of refill and mountainous location in a turbulently volcanic area that has undergone changing climate have all given the lake a complex history of changing flow patterns, with its outflow to the sea apparently historically unusual: it has been described as 'practically endorheic' for this reason. The lake's connection to the sea is dependent on a high water level allowing water to overflow out of the lake through the Lukunga into the Congo.

Because of rapid evaporation from the tropical location of the lake, this in turn depends on a high inflow through the Ruzizi out of Lake Kivu to keep the lake high enough to overflow. This outflow is apparently not more than 12,000 years old, caused by lava flows blocking and diverting the Kivu basin's previous outflow into Lake Edward and then the Nile system, and causing Tanganyika's water level to rise up to its current overflow level: ancient shorelines indicate that at times Tanganyika may have been up to 300 m lower than its present surface level, with no outlet to the sea. Even its current outlet is intermittent and may not have been operating when first visited by Western explorers in 1858.

The lake may also have at times had different entries and exits: inward flows from a higher Lake Rukwa, access to Lake Malawi and an exit route to the Nile have all been proposed to have existed at some point in the lake's history.

Because of a lack of major rivers flowing into the lake to naturally replenish it, concern exists that any rise in temperature and evaporation through climate change could cause an extremely rapid collapse in the lake's level. (Source)

Coca Cola Ad Card (2)

Sent by Eileen, a postcrosser from Singapore.

Coca Cola Ad Card (1)

Sent by Christine, a postcrosser from Belgium.

Note :
We started collected Coca Cola ad cards. Our postal workers, however, screwed it up, put a sticker for nothing on it.

Brazil - São Paulo

São Paulo
Praça da Sé

Sent by Vitor & Rose, postcrossers from São Paulo, Brazil.

Praça da Sé (English: See Square) is a public space in São Paulo, Brazil. Considered as the city's central point, it is the point from where the distance of all roads passing through São Paulo are counted. The square was the location of many historic events in São Paulo's history, most notably during the Diretas Já movement. The name originates from the episcopal see of the city, the São Paulo Cathedral.

Originally known as Largo da Sé (Field of the See), the square developed around the religious building which preceded the cathedral and surrounding edifices. At the beginning of the 20th century, older structures were demolished and the downtown area reconstructed according to the urban planning of the time. Its geography has remained mostly unchanged since.

The current landscape is the result of a 1970s project by architects led by José Eduardo de Assis Lefèvre. The opening of a nearby São Paulo Metro station required the leveling of an entire city block, requiring an entirely new landscaping infrastructure.

The architects were heavily influenced by contemporary landscaping works underway in the west coast of the US (such as those by Lawrence Halprin), characterized by rigorous geometry, through multiple levels with reflecting pools and prism-like land masses. (Source)

Germany - Upper Bavaria

Multiviews of Upper Bavaria.

Sent by Stefan, a postcrosser from Germany.

Upper Bavaria (German: Oberbayern) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany.
Upper Bavaria is located in the southern portion of Bavaria, and is centered around the city of Munich. It is subdivided into four regions (Planungsverband): Ingolstadt, Munich, Bayerisches Oberland (Bavarian Highland), and Südostoberbayern (South East Upper Bavaria). It is named 'Upper Bavaria' because the land is higher above sea level than the rest of Bavaria, not because it is farther north. (Source)

USA - West Virginia - State Capitol Building (1)

State Capitol
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, the state capital is located in the Kanawha River valley. It is west Virginia's largest city. The capitol building, completed in 1932, was designed by Cass Gilbert. Its shiny dome, covered in gold leaf, is 292 feet high and from the center of the gold dome hangs a rock crystal chandelier weighing 2 tons.

Sent by Lisa, a postcrosser from West Virginia.

The West Virginia State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of West Virginia, and houses the West Virginia Legislature and the office of the Governor of West Virginia. Located in Charleston, West Virginia, the building was dedicated in 1932. Along with the West Virginia Executive Mansion it is part of the West Virginia Capitol Complex, a historic district listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.

Prior to the American Civil War, the counties that would ultimately form West Virginia were a part of the state of Virginia; the state capitol was in Richmond, Virginia. After Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, the northwest counties of Virginia loyal to the United States started the process which would ultimately create the State of West Virginia on June 20, 1863.

Settling on a state capital location, however, proved to be difficult. For several years, the capital of West Virginia intermittently traveled between Wheeling and Charleston. In 1877, however, the state's citizens voted on the final location of their capital. Charleston was chosen and, eight years later, the first capitol building was opened. After a fire in 1921, a hastily-built structure was opened but it too burned down in 1927. 

A Capitol Building Commission, created by the Legislature in 1921, authorized construction of the present capitol. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the buff limestone structure that was to have a final cost of just under $10 million. After the three stages of construction were completed, Governor William G. Conley dedicated the capitol on June 20, 1932.

Gilbert liked his design of the West Virginia chamber's interior so well that he reused part of the design for the United States Supreme Court. The U.S. chamber is a larger version of the one found in the West Virginia Capitol's East Wing.

Japan - Okinawa (5)

OKINAWA in Japan.
Eisa Dance
A traditional dance performed during the lunar-calendar Obon holiday season. The powerful drum sound and splendid dancing are impressive.

Sent by Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB).

Japan - Okinawa (4)

Kuroshima Island, OKINAWA in Japan.
Folk Dwelling & Hibiscus
You see more cows than people on Kuroshima Island. Okinawa's original scenery, made up of red tile roof houses, captures your heart.

Sent by Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB).

Japan - Okinawa (3)

Kuroshima Island, OKINAWA in Japan
Honen-sai Festival
A post-harvest festival of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and praying for bumper crops. The island bustles with various dedicatory dances.

Sent by Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB).

Japan - Okinawa (2)

Naha City, OKINAWA in Japan.
Shuri-jo Castle
A grand festival with traditional performing arts and Ryukyu Kingdom Picture Scroll Parade - where the ancient culture comes to life

Sent by Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB).

Japan - Okinawa (1)

Hatenohama Beach / Kumejima Island
A sand-covered deserted island that floats east of Kumejima Island. The world of white sand and azure blue sea and sky stretches on forever.

Sent by Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB).

The Okinawa Islands (沖縄諸島 Okinawa Shotō^?) are an island group in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and are the principal island group of the prefecture. The Okinawa Islands are part of the larger Ryukyu Islands group, and are located between the Amami Islands ofKagoshima Prefecture to the northeast and the Sakishima Islands of Okinawa Prefecture to the southwest.

The Okinawa Islands, apart from the four main islands, contain three smaller island groups: the Kerama, Yokatsu, and Iheya-Izena island groups.

The Okinawa Islands are the political, cultural and population center of Okinawa Prefecture. The prefectural capital of Naha is within the island group. 90% of the population of the prefecture reside within the Okinawa Islands, primarily on the largest island of the group,Okinawa Island. Access to the various Okinawa Island is primarily via small airports which connect to Okinawa Airport. Additionally, the islands are connected via ferry service to the Port of Naha in the prefectural capital.

The Okinawa Islands are within the subtropical climate zone, which supports the production of sugarcane, pineapples and cut flowers. The military bases of the United States in Okinawa Prefecture are located on the Okinawa Islands.

Historically the rule of the Ryūkyū Kingdom roughly overlapped the Okinawa Islands and Amami Ōshima. (Source)

Northern Ireland - Belfast City (2)

Belfast City
This vibrant modern city has many historic landmarks and buildings including Belfast City Hall, Queen's University and Belfast Castle.

Sent by Radostina from Belfast City, Northern Ireland.