Saturday 31 March 2012

1007 ZA - Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (2004)

Brief Description

"A serial site – in Cape Province, South Africa – made up of eight protected areas, covering 553,000 ha, the Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world. It represents less than 0.5% of the area of Africa but is home to nearly 20% of the continent’s flora. The site displays outstanding ecological and biological processes associated with the Fynbos vegetation, which is unique to the Cape Floral Region. The outstanding diversity, density and endemism of the flora are among the highest worldwide. Unique plant reproductive strategies, adaptive to fire, patterns of seed dispersal by insects, as well as patterns of endemism and adaptive radiation found in the flora, are of outstanding value to science."

弗洛勒尔角

"弗洛勒尔角是南非开普省的一处系列遗址,由8个保护区组成,占地553 000公顷,是世界上植物最茂密的地方之一。这个不到非洲面积0.5%的地方却是全非洲将近20%的植物种植区。展现了弗洛勒尔角地区与高山硬叶灌木有关 的生态和生物进化进程。其突出的植被多样性、密度和地方特殊性在全世界范围内都是独一无二的。植物独特的自我再生复制功能、适应火险、由昆虫来传播种子, 以及当地植物种类和适应性放射,这些都具有独特的科学价值。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1007

Courtesy of Claus from Germany
1007-001 Cape Peninsula National Park
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Tuesday 27 March 2012

954 EG - Saint Catherine Area (2002)

Brief Description

"The Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot of Mount Horeb where, the Old Testament records, Moses received the Tablets of the Law. The mountain is known and revered by Muslims as Jebel Musa. The entire area is sacred to three world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The Monastery, founded in the 6th century, is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its initial function. Its walls and buildings of great significace to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery."

圣卡特琳娜地区

"圣卡特琳娜正统修道院坐落在何烈山(Mount Horeb)脚下,就是基督教《旧约全书》记载摩西接受“律法石板”的地方。这座山以“杰别尔-穆萨”之名在穆斯林中非常著名、广受尊敬。这个地区是包括 基督教、伊斯兰教和犹太教在内的世界三大宗教共同的圣地。修道院始建于公元6世纪,是世界上仍在使用的最古老修道院。修道院的墙体和房屋对拜占庭式建筑风 格研究具有很重要的意义。修道院内有大量杰出的收藏,包括早期基督教手稿和圣像。修道院所在的地区,山峦高峻,蕴藏着无数的考古遗迹和宗教古迹,给修道院 提供了完美的环境。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/954

Courtesy of Zane from Latvia

Saturday 17 March 2012

DZ102 Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad available for swap

DZ102-01 Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad (0 available)16/03/2012 1 postcard on its way to SLLiew (received) in exchange for a Yemen unesco card (Completed)

Wednesday 14 March 2012

685 ES - Doñana National Park (1994)

Brief Description

"Doñana National Park in Andalusia occupies the right bank of the Guadalquivir river at its estuary on the Atlantic Ocean. It is notable for the great diversity of its biotopes, especially lagoons, marshlands, fixed and mobile dunes, scrub woodland and maquis. It is home to five threatened bird species. It is one of the largest heronries in the Mediterranean region and is the wintering site for more than 500,000 water fowl each year."

多南那国家公园
"安达卢西亚的多南那国家公园位于瓜达尔基维尔河汇入大西洋入海口的右岸。该国家公园以生态系统 的多样性而著称,这里有环礁湖、沼泽地、固定和移动的沙丘、丛林地和灌木地带。这里还生活着5种濒危鸟类,同时,此地还是地中海地区最大的鸟类蛋孵化地之 一,每年都有超过50万只水禽在这里栖息越冬。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/685

Guadalquivir River Delta
Courtesy of Marie from France

522 ES - Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza (2003)

Brief Description

"The urban morphology of the two small cities of Úbeda and Baeza in southern Spain dates back to the Moorish 9th century and to the Reconquista in the 13th century. An important development took place in the 16th century, when the cities were subject to renovation along the lines of the emerging Renaissance. This planning intervention was part of the introduction into Spain of new humanistic ideas from Italy, which went on to have a great influence on the architecture of Latin America."
乌韦达和巴埃萨城文艺复兴时期的建筑群
"在西班牙南部坐落着两个小城——乌韦达和巴埃萨,对于当地城市形态学的研究可以追溯到公元9世 纪摩尔人统治时期以及公元13世纪的收复领土时期。到了公元16世纪,随着文艺复兴运动的发展,当地也出现了文艺复兴的形势,使这两个小城得到了重大发 展。这种有计划的影响其实就是新人文主义思想从意大利被介绍到了西班牙,这一思想后来从西班牙带到了拉丁美洲,对那里的建筑一直产生着巨大影响。"
Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/522

Courtesy of JordiMTREUS65 from postcrossing forum


Courtesy of Marie from France

Saturday 10 March 2012

DZ191 Djémila available for swap

DZ191-1 Djémila (0 available)
12/03/2012 1 postcard on its way to elbe (Completed)

DZ188 M'Zab Valley available for swap

DZ188-1 M'Zab Valley (0 available)12/03/2012 1 postcard on its way to elbe (Completed)

DZ194 Timgad available for swap

DZ194-1 Timgad (0 available)12/03/2012 1 postcard on its way to elbe (Completed)

DZ179 Tassili n'Ajjer available for swap

DZ179-1 Tassili n'Ajjer (0 available)12/03/2012 1 postcard on its way to elbe (Completed)

72 US/CA - Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (1979)

Brief Description

"These parks comprise an impressive complex of glaciers and high peaks on both sides of the border between Canada (Yukon Territory and British Columbia) and the United States (Alaska). The spectacular natural landscapes are home to many grizzly bears, caribou and Dall's sheep. The site contains the largest non-polar icefield in the world."
克卢恩/兰格尔-圣伊莱亚斯/冰川湾/塔琴希尼-阿尔塞克
"这些公园包括了位于加拿大(育空地区和英属哥伦比亚)和美国(阿拉斯加)交界处的包括冰川和高峰,景致蔚为壮观。这里是大灰熊、北美驯鹿和大角羊的栖息地,也是世界上最大的非极地冰原区。"
Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/72

Kluane National Park and Reserve (Canada) 1979
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve (U.S.) 1979
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (U.S.) 1992E
Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park (Canada) 1994E

Kluane Glacier
Courtesy of Dale from Canada
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

744 CO - San Agustín Archaeological Park (1995)

Brief Description

"The largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America stands in a wild, spectacular landscape. Gods and mythical animals are skilfully represented in styles ranging from abstract to realist. These works of art display the creativity and imagination of a northern Andean culture that flourished from the 1st to the 8th century."

圣奥古斯丁考古公园

"在南美洲一片原始壮观的风景区内矗立着最大的宗教建筑和巨石雕塑群。精湛地雕刻了众神和传说中的动物,从抽象主义到现实主义,风格各异。这些艺术杰作显示了1至8世纪盛极一时的北安第斯文化的创造力和想象力。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/744

Courtesy of Claus from Germany

743 CO - National Archeological Park of Tierradentro (1995)

Brief Description

"Several monumental statues of human figures can be seen in the park, which also contains many hypogea dating from the 6th to the 10th century. These huge underground tombs (some burial chambers are up to 12 m wide) are decorated with motifs that reproduce the internal decor of homes of the period. They reveal the social complexity and cultural wealth of a pre-Hispanic society in the northern Andes."

铁拉登特罗国家考古公园

"公园有许多巨大的人体雕塑,包括6至10世纪的大量古代地下墓室。这些巨大地下墓穴(有的墓室宽达12米)都饰有这一时期家庭室内装饰用的图案,体现了安第斯山脉北部早期拉丁美洲社会的复杂性和文化的丰富性。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/743

Courtesy of Claus from Germany

742 CO - Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox (1995)

Brief Description

"Founded in 1540 on the banks of the River Magdalena, Mompox played a key role in the Spanish colonization of northern South America. From the 16th to the 19th century the city developed parallel to the river, with the main street acting as a dyke. The historic centre has preserved the harmony and unity of the urban landscape. Most of the buildings are still used for their original purposes, providing an exceptional picture of what a Spanish colonial city was like."

蒙波斯的圣克鲁斯历史中心

"蒙波斯(Mompox)于1540年建立于马格达莱纳河(the River Magdalena)河畔,在西班牙殖民统治南美洲北部时发挥了重要作用。从16至19世纪,这个城市沿着河流两岸逐渐发展扩大,主要街道都担当着河堤的 作用。历史中心保持了城市景观的和谐与统一。现在大部分建筑物,仍保留原来的使用目的,真实地反映了西班牙统治时期的殖民地城市画面。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/742

Courtesy of Claus from Germany

1121 CO - Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (2011)

Brief Description

"An exceptional example of a sustainable and productive cultural landscape that is unique and representative of a tradition that is a strong symbol for coffee growing areas worldwide - encompasses six farming landscapes, which include 18 urban centres on the foothills of the western and central ranges of the Cordillera de los Andes in the west of the country. It reflects a centennial tradition of coffee growing in small plots in the high forest and the way farmers have adapted cultivation to difficult mountain conditions. The urban areas, mainly situated on the relatively flat tops of hills above sloping coffee fields, are characterized by the architecture of the Antioquian colonization with Spanish influence. Building materials were, and remain in some areas, cob and pleated cane for the walls with clay tiles for the roofs."

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1121

Courtesy of Claus from Germany

US5253 - Petrified Forest National Park (2008)

Courtesy of Dale from Canada

Thursday 8 March 2012

CN5328 - The Ancient Waterfront Towns in the South of Yangtze River (2008)

Zhouzhuang Town: Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, N 31 06, E 120 50
Luzhi Town: Wu County, Jiangsu Province, N 31 17, E 31 17
Wuzhen Town: Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, N 30 44 46, E 120 29 44
Xitang Town: Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province, N 30 56 50, E 30 56 50

Zhouzhuang Town

Courtesy of ZYB


 Luzhi Town








Friday 2 March 2012

577 AU - Heard and McDonald Islands (1997)

Brief Description

"Heard Island and McDonald Islands are located in the Southern Ocean, approximately 1,700 km from the Antarctic continent and 4,100 km south-west of Perth. As the only volcanically active subantarctic islands they ‘open a window into the earth’, thus providing the opportunity to observe ongoing geomorphic processes and glacial dynamics. The distinctive conservation value of Heard and McDonald – one of the world’s rare pristine island ecosystems – lies in the complete absence of alien plants and animals, as well as human impact."

赫德岛和麦克唐纳群岛

"赫德岛和麦克唐纳群岛位于南大洋,距南极洲约1700公里,离佩思(Perth)西南部约 4100公里。作为亚南极唯一的活火山群岛,这两个岛屿打开了“地球心底之窗”,为人类提供了观察正在进行的地貌变化过程和冰河运动的机会。对于赫德岛和 麦克唐纳群岛与众不同的保护价值在于,该群岛保留了世界罕见的早期岛屿生态系统,它从未受到过来自本生态系统外的生物影响,也没有受到过人类的影响。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/577

Courtesy of Emerich from Czech
Heard Island

1339 MH - Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site (2010)

Brief Description

"In the wake of World War II, in a move closely related to the beginnings of the Cold War, the United States of America decided to resume nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean, on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall archipelago. After the displacement of the local inhabitants, 67 nuclear tests were carried out from 1946 to 1958, including the explosion of the first H-bomb (1952). Bikini Atoll has conserved direct tangible evidence that is highly significant in conveying the power of the nuclear tests, i.e. the sunken ships sent to the bottom of the lagoon by the tests in 1946 and the gigantic Bravo crater. Equivalent to 7,000 times the force of the Hiroshima bomb, the tests had major consequences on the geology and natural environment of Bikini Atoll and on the health of those who were exposed to radiation. Through its history, the atoll symbolises the dawn of the nuclear age, despite its paradoxical image of peace and of earthly paradise. This is the first site from the Marshall Islands to be inscribed on the World Heritage List."

比基尼环礁

"第二次世界大战后,历史进入了以冷战为标志的新一页。在此背景下,美国决定在位于太平洋马绍尔 群岛的比基尼环礁恢复核试验。他们疏散了居民,并在1946 年至1958年间,在此进行了67次核武器爆炸试验,其中还包括第一枚氢弹(1952年)的爆炸。在泻湖中还沉睡着1946年试验时被击沉的舰队,环礁中 还能看到巨大的“布拉沃”弹坑,它们都是核武器爆炸最直接的证据。这里爆炸的总当量达到了广岛原子弹爆炸当量的7000倍,对比基尼环礁的地质、自然环境 和遭辐射人群的健康造成严重的影响。出于这一历史原因,比基尼环礁成为原子时代到来的象征,尽管环礁的和平美丽如天堂般的风景与这一象征大相径庭。这是马 绍尔群岛首个被列入《世界遗产名录》的遗址。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1226

Courtesy of Emerich from Czech

CZ1560 - The Industrial Complexes at Ostrava (2001)

Courtesy of Emerich from Czech

DZ565 Kasbah available for swap

DZ565-1 Kasbah (0 available)
02/03/12 1 card on its way to vykortsfantast (received) in exchange for Doñana National Park (Completed)

DZ193 Tipasa available for swap

DZ193-01 Tipasa (0 available)02/03/12 1 card on its way to vykortsfantast (received) in exchange for Baeza (Completed)

DZ193-01 Tipasa (1 available)

Thursday 1 March 2012

1226 GM - Stone Circles of Senegambia (2006)

Brief Description

"The site consists of four large groups of stone circles that represent an extraordinary concentration of over 1,000 monuments in a band 100 km wide along some 350 km of the River Gambia. The four groups, Sine Ngayène, Wanar, Wassu and Kerbatch, cover 93 stone circles and numerous tumuli, burial mounds, some of which have been excavated to reveal material that suggest dates between 3rd century BC and 16th century AD. Together the stone circles of laterite pillars and their associated burial mounds present a vast sacred landscape created over more than 1,500 years. It reflects a prosperous, highly organized and lasting society."

塞内冈比亚石圈

"在沿冈比亚河350公里长、100公里宽的地带集中了1000多座纪念碑,分成四个巨型石圈 组。这四个石圈组包括Sine Ngayène、Wanar、Wassu和Kerbatch,涵盖93个石圈和无数古坟和墓冢,其中一些已经挖掘。出土实物证明,这些遗迹可追溯到公元前 3世纪至公元16世纪。红土立柱构成的石圈与周围的墓冢展现了1500多年前盛大而神圣的景象,反映了一个繁荣、组织完备、持久的社会。这些石头是用铁制 工具采得,被巧妙地雕琢成了大约七吨重、平均两米高、几乎完全一样的圆柱或多边形立柱。每一个石圈直径4到6米,有8到14根立柱。所有立柱均矗立在墓冢 附近。这一杰出遗址代表了该地区更大范围的巨石带,不论是规模、一致性,还是复杂度在全世界都无与伦比。雕琢细致的独立石柱体现了精细、巧妙的雕刻技术, 增强了整个石圈群的宏伟气势。"

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1226

Courtesy of Paul from England

CN1633 - Haitan Scenic Spots (2011)

ER5600 - Qoahito Cultural Landscape (2011)

Courtesy of Paul from England