0251 Indonesia - Biodiversity

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Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life.

Indonesia’s rainforests are home to some of the highest levels of biological diversity in the world.  Many sources credit Indonesia as the most species rich country on earth. Spread over 18,000 islands, Indonesia contains the world’s third largest area of rainforest after the Amazon and Africa’s Congo Basin.

Incredibly, with just 1 percent of the Earth’s land area, Indonesia’s rainforests contain 10 percent of the world’s known plant species, 12 percent of mammal species - including endangered orangutans and critically endangered Sumatran tigers and rhinos - and 17 percent of all known bird species.
And there is still much to be discovered.  The Indonesian Ministry of the Environment estimates that more than half of Indonesia’s species are still unrecorded!!!!! :) 

Fine series of these map cards is here!!!

0250 South Korea - Seoul

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Seoul is the capital and largest city in South Korea.

Seoul, being one of the most densely populated cities in the world, is undergoing multiple revitalizations of unused urban spaces in order to create places of rest, recreation and culture among an extremely active city. 

Anyone looking for an entertaining and educational afternoon should try a museum hop around Seoul. With more than 100 museums in the city, there's really no excuse for not dropping by.

0249 Germany - Main river

The name Main derives from the Latin Moenus or Menus, and is not related to the name of the city Mainz. 

The Main River flows southwesterly around the northern end of the Fränkische Mountains to Bamberg, where the Regnitz River enters it from the left. From there the Main flows south and east among vine-clad hills to Würzburg and then north between the forest-covered Spessart and Odenwald ranges to Gemünden, where the Fränkische Saale River enters from the right. Turning abruptly to the south, it receives the Tauber River from the left at Wertheim and continues west and then north to Aschaffenburg. From there, a generally westward course takes the river through Frankfurt am Main to its junction with the Rhine River above Mainz after a course of 524 km.

0248 Indonesia - Maluku Islands

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The Maluku Islands or the Moluccas are an archipelago within Indonesia.

Most of the islands are mountainous, some with active volcanoes, and enjoy a wet climate. The vegetation of the small and narrow islands, encompassed by the sea, is very luxuriant; including rainforests, sago, rice and the famous spices—nutmeg, mace and cloves, among others. 

Fine series of these map cards is here!!!

P.S. Special thanks for this drawing, it's great!!!

0246, 0247 Norway

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Norway is regarded as the birth place of modern skiing. The word "ski" is Norwegian and simply means "piece of wood" or "cleft piece of wood". Contrary to English, the word "ski" is not a verb (only noun) in Norwegian, so Norwegians say "to walk on skis" (cross country) or "to stand on skis" (alpine skiing).

The Vikings of Norway (and Scandinavia) are well-known, they had a reputation as fierce and fearless fighters. Vikings did not have helmets with horns (as shown in the popular comic strip Hägar the Horrible). In fact, it is not clear if Vikings used helmets at all. The Viking helmet is a merely a legend. Although the word "viking" is now used about people from Scandinavia, thousands years ago in west-germanic languages it possibly referred to pirates, seaborn warriors or seamen of any origin.
Although Finland has been named " The Land of a Thousand Lakes", Norway's lakes do in fact  far outnumber Finland's. About 450,000 (half million) lakes in Norway are identified, compared to the 188,000 lakes in Finland. 

Yes!!! Different continents have different ways and traditions, and although people hailing from the western world share a common culture and social norms, each individual country have certain traits and characteristics that differ slightly from that of the others. The country Norway is no exception :)

0245 Russia - Kaluga Region

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Kaluga region is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast). Its administrative center is the city of Kaluga.

The most popular among tourists are the administrative center Kaluga, Optina Pustyn monastery, Kozelsk, the towns of Maloyaroslavets and Meschovsk where Napoleon’s army was stopped, the Goncharovs country estate in the Polotnyany Zavod, Svyato-Tikhonova Pustyn monastery and Svyato-Pafnutyev Borovsky monastery, the town of Tarusa, and Vorobyi zoo. 

A number of various tourist paths have been opened in the unique nature reserves—Ugra National Park and Kaluzhskye Zaseki. 

Аll series of these map cards here!!!

0244 Lithuania

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This is Openstreetmap card of Lithuania. What is the Openstreetmap (OSM)??? It is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. Two major driving forces behind the establishment and growth of OSM have been restrictions on use or availability of map information across much of the world and the advent of inexpensive portable satellite navigation devices.

0243 Bulgaria

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One third of Bulgaria’s territory is covered by about 40 mountains. Bulgarian mountains are diverse in size, height, topography and biological variety. They are beautiful and available in summer as well as in winter and offer excellent conditions for sport, recreation and hiking.

The Balkan Mountain is the backbone of Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. It stretches its long frame in the middle of the country and divides it into two sections. The highest point of the mountain is mount Botev (2,376 meters), and its most eastern point is cape Emine, where the mountain juts out into the Black Sea.

Спасибо Олесик за шикарную открытку!!!!

0241, 0242 Germany - Lüneburg Heath

The Lüneburg Heath is a large area of heath, geest and woodland in the northeastern part of the state of Lower Saxony in northern Germany.

There is far more to see and do on the Lüneburg Heath, located between the Aller and Elbe Rivers in Lower Saxony.
The Schneverdingen Heath-Garden, located in the town of Schneverdingen, on the southwest edge of the Lüneburg Heath, is the place to visit if you can’t travel to the Heath when the heather is blooming. The Höpen Heidegarten (Heath Garden) in Schneverdingen contains 120,000 heather plants of 140 separate species, and some of them are in bloom at any time of the year!
If you’re a bird lover, or have your kids along for your visit to Lüneberg Heath, the town of Walsrode with its Vogelpark (bird zoo) offers a delightful way to spend three or four hours. The zoo has both walk-through aviaries and open air exhibits housing both feathered friends and exotic plants from all of the seven continents. Plus, the kids can even hop into wooden boats and set sail for Congoland! :-)

The most impressive of the Lüneberg Heath amusement parks, however, is certainly the Heide-Park in Soltau. Not only is it the largest amusement park in North Germany; it has its own wildlife park where more than 200 native animals thrive in completely natural settings. It also has the tallest wooden roller coaster on the entire planet!

0240 Germany - Island Rügen

Tief und still in grauem Regen
liegen Wald und liegen Wiesen ...
tief und still mit müden, schweren
Wellen schleppt das Meer zum Strand ...

Cäsar Flaischlen 

0239 Indonesia - Ring of Fire

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The Pacific Ring of Fire, or Ring of Fire for short, is an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Ring of Fire is home to 452 volcanoes in total - that's 75 percent of the world's active and dormant volcanoes.
Both of Indonesia's most active volcanoes – Kelut and Mount Merapi (meaning "mountain of fire") – sit on Java Island.
Other colossal volcanic eruptions that have occurred in Indonesia include the eruption of Krakatau, which reportedly generated the loudest sound ever heard in modern history. Krakatau is a volcanic island located between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
The Toba supervolcano located on the island of Sumatra, which erupted 70,000 years ago, was a global catastrophe, creating six years of volcanic winter.

Fine series of these map cards is here!!!

0238 Travel

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...

I'll travel south and I'll travel north
I'll travel east and I'll travel west
I just want to find the road that is best

...

                                        Liam Hughes

0237 Singapore - Sentosa Island

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Sentosa island is fast becoming a major tourist attraction not just for Singapore but for the whole of South East Asia.
With the exception of the main island it is the fourth largest island in size in the country. Nearly 70% of the island is rainforest and is home to monitor lizards, peacocks, parrots and monkeys as well as a diversity of flora and fauna. It has over three kilometres of white sand beaches and the area of land available is increasing due to this being reclaimed from the sea.
The island was first connected to the main island by a cable car as a way for visitors to gain easy access. There is now a Sentosa Express monorail with one station on the main island and three on Sentosa, It replaced a previous monorail. It takes just four minutes to travel across from the main island on this service.

0236 USA - Hawaii

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Hawaii: 

• Flower -Pua Aloalo (Yellow Hibiscus)
• Tree - Kukui
• Bird - Nene (Hawaiian Goose)

The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii.

0235 Iceland

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Iceland is a Nordic island country marking the juncture between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Map of Iceland 1595
This map by Abraham Ortelius depicts Iceland in great detail, including its mountains, fjords, glaciers and a depiction of Mount Hekla erupting. The map includes over 200 place names, primarily Danish in origin.
The map illustrates a variety of legendary and mythical sea monsters and creatures of the 15th and 16th Century.

Спасибо Диана за историчски интересную открытку ;)

0234 Slovenia

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Slovenia is bordered by four countries; Austria, Italy, Croatia and Hungary.

Its capital and largest city is Ljubljana.The official symbol of Ljubljana is the dragon which was said to have been slayed by Jason (of Jason and the Argonauts). ;)

Some scenes from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian were filmed in Slovenia’s Soca Valley.

Mount Triglav (2,864m) is the highest mountain in Slovenia.

Old Vine in Maribor is over 400 years old and the oldest vine in the world. It still bears between 35 and 55 kilos of red grapes annually from which wine is produced.

Slovenia is still a hidden gem within central Europe with many exciting and varied travel opportunities!!!!!!

0233 USA - South Carolina

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South Carolina: 

• Flower -Yello Jessamine
• Tree - Cottonwood
• Bird - Carolina Wren

0232 USA - Wyoming

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Wyoming: 

• Flower - Indian Paintbrush
• Tree - Cottonwood
• Bird - Meadowlark

0231 Germany - Weimar

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Weimar is a city in the federal state of Thuringia, Germany. 

The Park an der Ilm is a massive expanse of land following the river Ilm to the south and east of the city. The park itself is so big it is easy to escape from the city crowds and feel completely isolated from humanity, as if you were walking out into the countryside itself. The volume of trees, the weaving paths, and the overgrown ruins make it feel like you have left civilization for a brief moment. It's definitely a place worth wandering for an hour or two. 

0230 Indonesia - Bali

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Bali is known as the “last paradise on earth” and is the most popular tourist destination in the world.

The capital of Bali is Denpasar which is near the southern coast.

Vulcan Agung (3142 meters) to Bali is considered the most sacred place on the island. All temples of the island are turned into its party and all Baliniytsa try to sleep the head towards this volcano. 

Baliysky gate without top are called Chandi Bentar (Candi Bentar) that is translated as “the split gate”. Gate Chandi Bentar symbolize the space mountain of knowledge split into two parts — a half of good and an evil half — forces symbolizing fundamental to energy of the Universe.

Fine series of these map cards is here!!!

0229 Czech Republic - 3D

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I like special effects --->I like 3D cards :) Here is Czech Republic!!! The whole country is so full of beauty and nature that it is so difficult to tell "your favorite places..."!!!!!!!!!!

0228 Italy - Sardinia

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Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy. 

The Sardinian capital Cagliari was built on seven hills. The oldest part of the city, Castello, lies on top of one of these hills.

0227 USA - Colorado

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Colorado: 

• Flower - White and Lavender Rocky Mt. Columbine
• Tree - Blue Spruce
• Bird - Lack Bunting

Fine series of these map cards is here!!!

0226 Compass

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0225 Malaysia

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The borders of Malaysia include land and maritime borders with Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand and shared maritime boundaries with the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Divided into thirteen states and three federal territories, it has Kuala Lumpur as the capital and Putrajaya as the administrative hub i.e. the seat of the federal government. The large number of islands in the country, over 200, has blessed it with a long and beautiful coastline. Infact, the pristine beaches of Malaysia, combined with its lofty mountains and flourishing national parks, comprises of its major attractions.

0224 Thailand

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Thailand’s name in the Thai language is Prathet Thai, which means “Land of the Free.” It is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European nation.

Thailand shares a border with four countries: Myanmar (formerly Burma) to the north and west, Laos to the north and east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Malaysia to the south.

One of the country’s most unusual festivals is the annual Monkey Buffet, held in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi province. More than 600 monkeys are invited to feast on over two tonnes of grilled sausage, fresh fruit, ice cream and other treats. The locals see it as a thank you to the monkeys which inhabit the village and bring thousands of tourists there each year. ;)

Ayutthaya city is the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. Most visitors come to explore the Ayutthaya historical park, which contains most of the magnificent ruins of the ancient city and was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1981. Over 400 hundred temples were originally built in Ayutthaya, and the fact that they were built by various rules means that they comprise an interesting range of designs and styles.

0223 South Korea

 

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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia. South Korea is one of the most interesting countries in the world. The Land of the Morning Calm is a rising power full of curious customs and fascinating facts.
Every society has its own odd superstitions, and while Westerners worry about black cats, open umbrellas, and spilled salt, Koreans can’t stand red ink. Supposedly, if you write someone’s name with a red pen, that person is going to have some really bad luck in the near future. ;)

0222 Nepal

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A small landlocked country on the lap of Himalayas, Nepal is a Democratic Republic nation located in between two powerhouses India and China. Nepal- the holy and sacred nation.

Nepal has the densest concentration with regards to World Heritage sites. Kathmandu Valley which includes 3 districts Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur holds around 7 World Heritage Cultural sites at around a radius of 15 kilometers.

One of the most different part of greeting in this country is that they don’t shake hands or hug. They hold both of their palm and bow down and say ‘Namaste’. Mythically this means that they salute the god living inside the soul.

Nepal has a flag that is only non- quadrilateral shaped and no other country have it in that shape. Recent researches on flags show that the national flag of Nepal is the most mathematical flag in the entire world. With blue border and red filler, the national flag has sun and moon embedded in it. The two triangles represent the Himalayan Mountains and two major religions Hinduism and Buddhism that people most follow in the country.

More than 20% of tourist who come to visit Nepal come for rafting and trekking to different holy pilgrims and beautiful sites that are located in Nepal. Nepal has a wide prospect in mountain climbing, trekking and rafting. With eight highest peaks in the world, a lot of people come for mountain climbing and trekking to the Himalayan regions of the country. Also, there are a lot of fast flowing rivers like Trisuli which are world-wide known for rafting.