Tagus

This is my first card from Portugal:

The Tagus is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is 1,038 km long, 716 km in Spain, 47 km along the border between Portugal and Spain and 275 km in Portugal, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. It drains an area of 80,100 square kilometers (the second largest in the Iberian peninsula after the Douro). The Tagus is highly utilized for most of its course. Several dams and diversions supply drinking water to most of central Spain, including Madrid, and Portugal, while dozens of hydroelectric stations create power. Between dams it follows a very constricted course, but after Almourol it enters a vast alluvial valley prone to flooding. At its mouth is a large estuary on which the port city of Lisbon is situated.

The source of the Tagus is the Fuente de García, in the Montes Universales, Sistema Ibérico, Sierra de Albarracín Comarca. All its major tributaries enter the Tagus from the right (north) bank. The main cities it passes through are Aranjuez, Toledo, Talavera de la Reina and Alcántara in Spain, and Abrantes, Santarém, Almada and Lisbon in Portugal.

Portugal

Portuguese card :)

Óbidos is a town of approximately 3100 inhabitants and municipal seat of the municipality of Óbidos, located in the Oeste Subregion, of the Estremadura historical province, in Portugal.

The area of the town of Óbidos is located on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall, but divided between the two parishes of São Pedro and Santa Maria in the municipality of Óbidos.

Óbidos remains a well-preserved example of medieval architecture; its streets, squares, walls and its castle are a popular tourist destination.

Hoorn

This card was sent to me from Hoorn - the province in the  North Holland.

"Hoorn" is a very old Dutch word for "corner", the cost makes a bend there.

It is located on the IJsselmeer, 35 kilometres north of Amsterdam, and acquired city rights in 1357. Hoorn has 70 196 inhabitants. The area of the municipality is 52,49 km² (32,62 km² consists of water, mainly the Markermeer), and consists of the following villages and/or districts: Blokker, Hoorn, Zwaag, and parts of Bangert and De Hulk.

Cape Horn, the most southerly point of the Americas, was named after the town by Willem Schouten, who rounded it in 1616. The Hoorn Islands are also named after this city.

The City Of Hoorn has a twin city status with:

• Beersel, Belgium, since 1979
• Malacca Town, Malaysia, since 1989
• Příbram, Czech Republic, since 1992

Spain...one more time :)

One of my official card from Postcrossing project :)

A postcard shows Tarragona – a little city with one hundred inhabitants, beaches with golden sand and crystal waters. The city has a historical past with more than two thousand years old, has many Roman ruins. From 2000 is on World Heritage for UNESCO site J

9th P&L Postcard Exchange

I love to being a member of P&L group :) I met there plenty o wonderful people :) From time to time members of that group make an exchange of postcards :) This time I've got a card from Beatriz from Spain :)

On a postcard we can see a view of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia (northern Spain). It's and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and the destination of the St. James Way (Pilgrimage Route) . The view shows the main façade called: „OBRADOIRO” (what mean in Galician: "workshop”). 

Harbour

This lovely card I've got from 2 awesome Polish friends :)

Many thanks for you Gosia and Patricia :) You good know how to make a smile on my face :)

Kazan

This card I've got from Elena.

Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of 1,143,535, it is the eighth most populous city in Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia.

 The Qolşärif mosque 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. Originally, the mosque was built in the Kazan Kremlin in the 16th century. It was named after Qolşärif who served there. Qolsharif died with his numerous students while defending Kazan from Russian forces in 1552. It is believed that the building featured minarets, both in the form of cupolas and tents. Its design was traditional for Volga Bulgaria, although elements of early Renaissance and Ottoman architecture could have been used as well. In 1552, during the storming of Kazan it was destroyed by Ivan The Terrible.

Tatar scholars speculate as to whether some elements of Qolşärif mosque can be seen in Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow (8 minarets, a central cupola, not typical for Russian architecture). Since 1996 the mosque has been rebuilt in Kazan Kremlin, although its look is decisively modern. Its inauguration on July 24, 2005 marked the beginning of celebrations dedicated to the Millennium of Kazan. It can accommodate 6,000 worshipers.

Several countries contributed to the fund that was set up to build Qolsharif mosque, namely Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Qolsharif is considered to be one of the most important symbols of Tatar aspirations. Nowadays the mosque predominantly serves as a Museum of Islam. At the same time during the major Muslim celebrations thousands of people gather there to pray.

The Qolsharif complex was envisioned to be an important cornerstone of Kazan’s architectural landscape. Besides the main mosque building it includes a library, publishing house and Imam's office.

The Kazan is the chief historic citadel of Tatarstan, situated in the city of Kazan. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. (from wikipedia)

Moomin

I am not big fan of the Moomin - at least if we are talking about cartoons :) I prefer books with them ;) But it not mean that I wasn't very happy when I saw this what I found in the envelop with letter :)
These cards I've got from my Polish friends Patricia - a many thanks for you :)




Moomin - the main character, a spirited child with a keen sense of adventure and fun, and a generous spirit. He is Snufkin's best friend. He secretly has a crush on the Snork Maiden and expresses his emotions to her discreetly.

Little My - A small, mischievous and spiteful “Tomboy" little girl who is not afraid of anything. My is the little sister of the Mymble. When she wants something done, she does it straight away. She is very aggressive and often speaks rudely, but can be a good friend. She has a brash personality. She is red haired and her hair is always gathered in a pony tail. She always wears a simple red skirt.

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Polish bear :)

This card I've got from Poland :)

The National Park covers one of the two Alpine mountain ranges in Poland. The highest peak in Poland, Rysy (2,499 m AMSL), is located here. The Polish Tatra range, which is a part of the Carpathian Mountains, is divided into two parts: High Tatras (Tatry Wysokie) and Western Tatras (Tatry Zachodnie). The landscape consists of sharp-edged peaks and hollows with numerous rock formations. There are around 650 caves, of which the cave system Wielka Sniezna is the longest (18 km) and the deepest (maximum depth 814 m). Six caves of the system are open to public.

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear distributed across much of northern Eurasia and North America. Adult bears generally weigh between 100 and 635 kg and its largest subspecies, the Kodiak bear, rivals the polar bear as the largest member of the bear family and as the largest land-based predator. There are several recognized subspecies within the brown bear species. In North America, two types are generally recognized, the coastal brown bear and the inland grizzly bear, and the two types could broadly define all brown bear subspecies. The exact number of overall brown subspecies remains in debate.

Anjun

This card I've got from my friend from The Netherlands. Thank you a lot (one more time:)) my dear Fiona.

Anjun it's a small country-side town with some about 1000 inhabitants. The church named "St. Michaëls" build in 1100. 

The little farm doesn't exist because it was destroyed some months ago. On farm place people want to build a Swedish house. 

The mill is a museum now. 

They have a lot of pastures, sheeps and cow. 

Seems it's a great place for me! Quiet and calm - full of relax :D 

The park

I have got this postcard from Ukrainian girl. The card is showing the Sharivka Park.


The monument of park-and-garden arts of the national significance. The park obtained its Western European features still in the early 19th century, when it was reconstructed and decorated with ponds and terrace with wide stairs. The central site of the park is occupied by the palace erected on a high hill.

Holland

One day, when I had a very bad mood I opened my mailbox and...I've got this card:

I don't know do you will believe me or not, but...this card made my day in that period :) However I am not sure why :).

Le port

This postcard I have got from private swap. A sender is from France. Merci beaucoup Delphine pour ta carte  :)   

La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente - Maritime departament (from wikipedia).

La Rochelle was founded in the 10th century as a fishing village which began to expand in the 12th century to reach its apogee in the following century through the wine and salt trade.

With the protestant coup d’état on January 9th 1568, the people of La Rochelle opted for the reformed side. The city then acquired the status of free city. But in 1628, Louis XIII and Richelieu laid siege to the city, which threatened the latter's policy of unification, for thirteen months. Faced with famine, the city fell and found itself without a town hall and stripped of its privileges.

Sea trade helped it back to its former glory, especially thanks to regular interchange with New France and the West Indies. From 1694, trade picked up as did the intellectual renaissance and artistic influence.

In the 19th century, wars and the French Revolution put the city into a stupor until the creation of the port of La Pallice in 1890. During the Second World War this became a German submarine base. In 1945, La Rochelle was the last French city to be liberated but luckily escaped major damage (from http://www.ville-larochelle.fr)

Sweden

This is the next postcard which I have got from my dear penfriend. Thank you J.

Lund, situated in the centre of the attractive and expansive Öresund region in southern Sweden, is one of the oldest cities in Sweden with a history more than one thousand years old. Over the centuries it has earned a reputation for being a place where people meet, and, today, more than ever, Lund is a meeting place for ideas and creativity.

Here, the university, science-park, multicultural atmosphere and historical surroundings make up a unique combination. This, along with its central situation, has turned Lund into an international city where ideas are born - ideas that build enterprises and achieve success both nationally and internationally (from here).

Twin towns — sister cities (from Wikipedia):

• Viborg Municipality – Denmark
• Hamar – Norway
• Porvoo – Finland
• Dalvík – Iceland
• Nevers – France
• León – Nicaragua
• Greifswald – Germany
• Zabrze - Poland

The Jolly Fisherman

On the postcard you can see the Jolly Fisherman. It is the statue and fountain which you can find in Skegness J.

Skegness is a seaside town and civil parish in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. Located on the Lincolnshire coast of the North Sea, 69 km east of the city of Lincoln it has a total resident population of 18,910 (from Wikipedia).

The Jolly Fisherman it is a local mascot, designed by John Hassall in 1908 for the Great Northern Railway), and a slogan - "Skegness is so bracing" - a reference to the chilly prevailing north-easterly winds that can and frequently do blow off the North Sea. The slogan is thought to have come from an unknown member of staff of the railway. The poster was first seen at Easter in conjunction with an excursion from Kings Cross Station. The last of these trips ran in 1913 (from Wikipedia). 

Afon Teifi

I have got this postcard from my penpal - Heidi. Thank you a lot my dear friend, you made my day with this card! 

The River Teifi forms the boundary between the counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire in south-west Wales for most of its 75 mile length, flowing into the sea below the town of Cardigan.

The Teifi has its source in Llyn Teifi, one of several lakes known collectively as the Teifi Pools. These are situated towards the north of the county of Ceredigion. This wide area of Mid-Wales, with a very sparse population, is part of what is sometimes called the "desert of Wales". The river flows past Strata Florida Abbey and then through Pontrhydfendigaid before reaching the main river valley floor. Here it passes through one of the great raised mires of Britain, Gors Goch Glan Teifi, also known as Tregaron Bog. Over the next 30 miles, the Teifi meanders generally south-west in a gentle arc, passing through the towns and villages of Tregaron, Llanddewi Brefi, Cwmann, Lampeter, Llanybydder, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, Cenarth, Llechryd and finally Cardigan. The river becomes tidal below Llechryd and descends into Cardigan through the steep-sided Cilgerran Gorge. Below Cardigan, the river broadens into a wide estuary, passing the seaside resort of Poppit Sands before finally entering the sea in Cardigan Bay (from).

Valle d'Aosta

My next postcard I received from Davide. We exchange some postcards J In this town he spend every vacation since 1983.

Cogne is a town and comune in Aosta Valley, northern Italy. Cogne is located in the valley with the same name, leading to the Gran Paradiso massif Ibex, wild goat, marmots, royal eagles are easy to see. Many walks and hikes of different level, to lakes, waterlfalls and other natural attraction.

In the winter Cogne offers 70 km of cross country skiing, 9 km down hill, many walks on the snow and more than 140 icefalls.

Puffins

This postcard I receive from my dear friend from Iceland. 


Puffins are any of three small species of auk (or alcids) in the bird genus Fratercula with a brightly coloured beak during the breeding season. These are pelagic seabirds that feed primarily by diving in the water. They breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands, nesting in crevices among rocks or in burrows in the soil. Two species, the Tufted Puffin and Horned Puffin, are found in the North Pacific Ocean, while the Atlantic Puffin is found in the North Atlantic Ocean.

All puffin species have predominantly black or black and white plumage, a stocky build, and large beaks. They shed the colourful outer parts of their bills after the breeding season, leaving a smaller and duller beak. Their short wings are adapted for swimming with a flying technique under water. In the air, they beat their wings rapidly (up to 400 times per minute) in swift flight, often flying low over the ocean's surface.

There are migratory birds that arrived in Iceland in April. Their breeding and fledgling season span from May until September, after which the puffins leave for the open Atlantic ocean.

Their nest rest at ent of approximately metre-long burrowed tunnels. Rhese tunnels riddle the ground here the puffins colonize on cliff faces, grassy islands and mountain ledges near the sea.

Petrograd

Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербург, tr. Sankt-Peterburg) is a city and a federal subject (a federal city) of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. In 1914 the name of the city was changed to Petrograd (Russian: Петроград), in 1924 to Leningrad (Russian: Ленинград,) and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg.

In Russian literature and informal documents the "Saint" (Санкт-) is usually omitted, leaving Petersburg (Петербург, Peterburg). In common parlance Russians may drop "-burg" (-бург) as well, leaving only Peter (Питер, pronounced as "Piter").

Saint Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter the Great on 27 [O.S. 16 May] 1703. From 1713 to 1728 and from 1732 to 1918, Saint Petersburg was the capital of Russia. In 1918 the central government bodies moved from Saint Petersburg (then named Petrograd) to Moscow. It is Russia's second largest city after Moscow with 4.6 million inhabitants. Saint Petersburg is a major European cultural centre, and an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea.

Saint Petersburg is often described as the most Western city of Russia. Among cities of the world with over one million people, Saint Petersburg is the northernmost. The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saint Petersburg is also home to The Hermitage, the largest art museum in the world. A large number of foreign consulates, international corporations, banks and other businesses are located in Saint Petersburg. (from wikipedia)

Third P&L exchange postcards :)

This postcard I received from Samantha. She lives in north west area in Italy, in Cigliano.

It is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Vercelli in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 35 km northeast of Turin and about 30 km west of Vercelli. She wrote that her town it's still quiet place, even with 4500 inhabitants.