Russia: Svetlogorsk

I also received a nice card from Russia. Svetlogorsk is a coastal resort town and the administrative center of Svetlogorsky District of Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia with a population of about 11,000. Its my first card from Kaliningrad Oblast. It's "special" because Kaliningrad Oblast is an exclave, with no land connection to the rest of Russia.

Stamp:
The 175th Anniversary of the World's First Postage Stamp - One Penny Black - Issued: 23-04-2015

Germany: 125 Years Heligoland to Germany

Yesterday I received a special cover. 125 years ago, Britain gave up the North Sea archipelago Heligoland to Germany. The change of flags took place on August 10, 1890. From August 5-10 2015, the inhabitants of Heligoland will commemorate this with a cultural and historical week. The program includes a ceremony on Saturday, an exhibition, an evening with the traditional costumes from the last 200 years, a regatta of traditional boats and the pier festival on the last day of the festival.

Stamp:
International Windjammerfestival Bremerhaven, Germany - Issued: 06-08-2015 with special postmark

Lithuania: Kaunas

Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas is located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, the largest body of water entirely in Lithuania. The Population of the city is about 300,000. On the center picture of the card you can see a famous landmark: The Town Hall of Kaunas.

Stamp:
Coat of Arms of Lithuanian Towns "Ignalina" - Issued: 30-07-2011

Hong Kong: Shopping Street

Hong Kong is also famous for its shopping mall's, street markets and shopping streets. In so-called shopping streets similar business are put together in one street. For nearly everything there is a street: goldfish, birds, clothes, electronics and shoes – if it’s worth shopping, it has a street.

Stamp:
Children Stamps – Chinese and Foreign Folklore (from a set of six) - Issued: 16-07-2015

Spain: Toledo

Toledo is a municipality located in central Spain, 70 km south of Madrid. It is the capital of the province of Toledo and the autonomous community of Castile–La Mancha. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage and historical co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures.

Stamp:
EUROPA Stamps - Musical Instruments (Paco de Lucía) - Issued: 23-04-2014


Thanks to Edit for this nice card!

USA: Washington, D.C.

Today, I received another card from Washington, D.C. It arrived in a beautiful decorated envelope with nice stamps on it. On the card you can see from the top left:
The Jefferson Memorial, The Supreme Court, The White House, The Smithsonian Institute, The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, The US Capitol, The Pentagon, The Marine Corps War Memorial, Washington's National Cathedral, The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, Ford's Theatre, The Tomb of the Unknown Solider, The Washington Monument, Mount Vernon and The Lincoln Memorial.

Stamps:
left: Costal Birds (from a set of four) "Fregata magnificent" - Issued: 01-06-2015
mid & right: Art by Martin Ramirez (from a set of five) - Issued: 26-03-2015

Thanks to Kristin for this nice card and envelope!

Russia: Nizhny Novgorod

Today I received a card from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Its a city with a population of 1,250,619, the fifth largest city in Russia and the administrative center of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. From 1932 to 1990, it was known as Gorky after the writer Maxim Gorky who was born there. The city is an important economic, transportation and cultural center of Russia and the vast Volga-Vyatka economic region. It is located about 400 km east of Moscow.

The city is located ant the confluence of two great rivers, the Oka and the Volga. On the card you can see the place where the Oka falls into the Volga. It's called 'Strelka'. In the background you can see Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral.

The stamps are matching to the city!

Stamps:
left: Russian Kremlins - Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin - Issued: 01-10-2009
mid: The 400th Anniversary of the Reunification of the Russian State (Minin & Pozharsky Monument) - Issued: 14-06-2012
right: Coat of Arms - City of Nizhny Novgorod - Issued: 16-06-2015

Thanks Julia for this card and choosing the nice stamps!

France: Laval

Laval is a town in western France, about 300 km (190 mi) southwest of Paris, and the capital of the Mayenne department. The town has a population of about 51,182 inhabitants. Laval is notably the birthplace of Henri Rousseau, a major Naïve painter. The town has a museum dedicated to him and other Naïve artists.

Stamp:
National Monument of the Hartmannswillerkopf - Issued: 19-06-2015

Thanks to Aline for this nice card!

Denmark: Copenhagen

Copenhagen (danish: København) is the capital and most populated city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,263,698 (as of 1 January 2015).  It is situated on the eastern coast of Zealand, 164 km (102 mi) east of Odense and 28 km (17 mi) northwest of Malmö, Sweden. 

The large picture in the middle of the card shows the "Little Mermaid". The statue of the Little Mermaid is an icon of the city and a popular tourist attraction. 

Copenhagen also has over 94,000 students enrolled in its largest universities and institutions. The largest one is the University of Copenhagen (38,867 students). 

Stamp:

Queen Margrethe II (14.00 Kr) - Issued: 02-01-2012


Thanks to my friends Michael and Sabrina for this card!

Australia: FDC & Maxicards

Yesterday, I received a great cover from Australia with very nice Maxicards and First-Day-Cover.

The Early Years
A Detail from a watercolor based on a sketch by convict artist Thomas Watling showing the Sydney end of the Parramatta Road.

Stamp:
The 200th Anniversary of the Colonization of Australia - The Early Years (from a set of five) - Issued: 13-04-1988

Australia Bicentennial Collection - Joint Issued with the UK
Superimposed on the part of the Australian flag featuring the Southern Cross, parliamentary democracy is symbolized by the Palace of Westminster, the new Australian Parliament House, and the Queen, Head of State in Australia and the UK.

Stamp:
The 200th Anniversary of the Colonization of Australia (from a set of four) - Issued: 21-06-1988


Year of the Horse 2014
The Chinese Zodiac is made up of a recurring 12-years cycle with each years represented by an animal sign. The seventh sigh in the Chinese zodiac, the Horse symbolizes perception and power. Those born in the Year of the Horse are intuitive and practical, intelligent and quick-witted, independent and likable. Horses make excellent teachers, journalists, politicians and performers.

With Minisheet: Christmas Islands - Chinese New Year - Year of the Horse - Issued: 07-01-2014

Year of the Goat 2015
2015 is the year of the Goat. The Goat is the eighth animal in the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes independence. Those born in the Years of the Goat are very creative, reserved and quiet, with a great capacity for deep affection. Goats make excellent actors, writers, doctors, teachers, designers and musicians.

With Minisheet: Christmas Islands - Chinese New Year - Year of the Ram/Goat - Issued: 08-01-2015


Many thanks to Isaac for this great cover!!

Finland: Ilmajoki

Ilmajoki is a city located in the province of Western Finland and it is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region. The population of Ilmajoki is 12,181 (30 June 2015). Some notable person originally from Ilmajoki is javelin thrower and former world champion Tero Pitkämäki.

Stamp:
Comics - Moomin Favorites (from a set of six) - Issued: 06-05-2013
The cancellation advertises the "Duudsonit Activity Park" in Seinäjoki

Germany: "Sail Bremerhaven"

Again a card from Bremerhaven. The city hosted this year's International Windjammer Festival from 12th - 16th August 2015. This year more than 1.2 Million visitors came to the "Sail Bremerhaven". The city is traditionally and historically closely connected with ships and sail. More than 250 great ocean-going sailing vessels were built between 1840 and 1927 at the Rickmers and the Joh. C. Tecklenborg shipyards.

Stamp:
International Windjammerfestival Bremerhaven, Germany - Issued: 06-08-2015 with special first day of issue postmark

USA: La Jolla

La Jolla is an affluent neighborhood in San Diego, California. It is surrounded on three sides by ocean bluffs and beaches and is located 12 miles (19 km) north of Downtown San Diego. La Jolla is home to a variety of businesses in the areas of lodging, dining, shopping, software, finance, real estate, bio-engineering, medical practice and scientific research

Stamps:

from the left:

1x American Design "Silver Coffeepot" (from a set of two) - Issued: 16-03-2007

2x American Toleware Definitve - Issued: 25-06-2004

1x American Design - "American Clock" - Issued: 24-01-2003

1x From me to you - Issued: 01-04-2015

1x Farmer's Markets (from a set of four) - Issued: 07-08-2014

Australia: Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with an estimated population of 2.02 million (as of 30 June 2014). Perth was originally founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. It gained city status (currently vested in the smaller City of Perth) in 1856, and was promoted to the status of a Lord Mayorality in 1929. The city is named after Perth, Scotland, by influence of Sir George Murray, then British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The city's population increased substantially as a result of the Western Australian gold rushes in the late 19th century, largely as a result of emigration from the eastern colonies of Australia.

Stamp:
 The 88th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II (from a set of two) - Issued: 08-04-2014

South Korea: Greetings from…

This is one of the nice Greetings from-Cards from Postallove. It was sent directly from South Korea. South Korea is a sovereign state in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. In 2014 South Korea got an estimated population of about 51 Million. For more information see the card :)

Stamp:

Birds "Pitta Nympha" - Issued: 20-11-2014

Thanks to Kerstin for this nice card!

Germany: Sternberg

Sternberg is a town in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The city is located southwest of Rostock, southeast of Wismar, and northeast of Schwerin. The city got a population of about 4300 (as in 2013).

Stamp:
Germany's Most Beautiful Panoramas "Dresden" (from a set of two) - Issued: 03-04-2014


Thanks to you Anna, who send me this card from her holidays!

Germany: Cuxhaven

Cuxhaven is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town includes the northernmost point of Lower Saxony. It is situated on the shore of the North Sea at the mouth of the Elbe River. Its town quarters Duhnen, Döse and Sahlenburg are especially popular vacation spots on the North Sea and home to about 52,000 residents. The city's symbol, known as the Kugelbake is a beacon once used as a lighthouse; the wooden landmark on the mouth of the Elbe marks the boundary between the river and the North Sea and also adorns the city's coat of arms.

Stamp:
Lighthouses "Flügge" (from a set of two) - Issued: 06-06-2013

Thanks to Michele for this card!

Germany: Leipzig

Leipzig is the largest city in the federal state of Saxony, Germany. It has a population of 556,017 inhabitants. In 2015 Leipzig is celebrating the 1000th anniversary of its first documented mention. This card commemorates this special event.

Stamp:
The 1000th Anniversary of the City of Leipzig - Issued: 01-07-2015

Thanks to Heidrun for this card!

Channel Islands: Jersey

The island of Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands. It measures 118.2 square kilometers, including reclaimed land and intertidal zone. It lies in the English Channel, about 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) from the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, France, and about 87 nautical miles (161 km; 100 mi) south of Great Britain. Jersey is a self-governing parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its own financial, legal and judicial systems, and the power of self-determination. The capital and largest city on the island is Saint Helier.

Stamps:
The Crest of Jersey (from a set of 11) - Issued: 18-02-2015
The 800th Anniversary of te Magna Carta Documents (from a set of six) - Issued: 17-06-2015

Thanks to Sabrina for sending me this great card!

USA: California State University

Yesterday I received two cards. My first is from the USA. It shows the bell tower of California State University (CalState; CSU) in Chico. Composed of 23 campuses and eight off-campus centers enrolling 437,000 students with 44,000 faculty members and staff, CSU is the largest four-year public university system in the United States. With nearly 100,000 graduates annually, the CSU is also the country's greatest producer of bachelor's degrees.

Stamps:
from the left:
American Design - Navajo Jewelry - Issued: 12-05-2007
2x American Design - American Clock - Issued: 24-01-2003
Art by Martin Ramirez (1895-1963) (from a set of five) - Issued: 26-03-2015

Germany: Pina Bausch

Philippina "Pina" Bausch (27 July 1940 – 30 June 2009) was a German performer of modern dance, choreographer, dance teacher and ballet director. With her unique style, a blend of movement, sound, and prominent stage sets, and with her elaborate collaboration with performers during the development of a piece (a style now known as Tanztheater), she became a leading influence in the field of modern dance from the 1970s on. She created the company "Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch" which performs internationally.

Stamp:
The 75th Anniversary of the Birth of Pina Bausch - Issued: 01-07-2015 with special postmark

USA: Glacier National Park

On this card you can see a picture of the Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park is a national park located in the U.S. state of Montana, on the Canada–United States border with the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The park encompasses over 1 million acres (4,000 km2) and includes parts of two mountain ranges (sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains), over 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals. The card shows Hidden Lake. Hidden Lake is surrounded by numerous peaks including Bearhat Mountain to the southwest, Clements Mountain to the north and Reynolds Mountain to the east. Hidden Lake is a popular day hike destination.

Stamps:
left: Summer Harvest "Sweet Corn" (from a set of four) - Issued: 11-07-2015
mid & right: Coastal Birds "King Eider" & Red Knot (from a set of four) - Issued: 01-06-2015


Thanks to Kyoko for this card!

Finland: Savonlinna

Savonlinna (Swedish: Nyslott) is a town and a municipality of 35,760 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". In the middle of the card you can see the Olavinlinna Castle, which is also called castle of St. Olaf. The castle is built on an island in the Kyrönsalmi strait that connects the lakes Haukivesi and Pihlajavesi.

Stamps:
left: Birch (0,20 €) from a set of two - Issued: 24-01-2011
right: Sweet Summer (from a set of six) - Issued: 05-05-2014


Thanks to Maria for this nice card!

USA: Oregon (Portland & Mt. Hood)

I received these nice cards some days ago in a cover, so there are no stamps on them. 

The first card shows Portland. It is the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Multnomah County, located near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. According to the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776 estimated to have reached 619,360 in 2014, making it the 28th most populous city in the United States.

The second card shows Mt. Hood. It is a stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc of northern Oregon. It is located about 50 miles (80 km) east-southeast of Portland. The height assigned to Mount Hood's snow-covered peak has varied over its history. Modern sources point to three different heights: 11,249 feet (3,429 m), a 1991 measurement by the U.S. National Geodetic Survey (NGS), 11,240 feet (3,426 m) based on a 1993 scientific expedition, and 11,239 feet (3,426 m) of slightly older origin. 

The last card shows a nice state-map of Oregon. Oregon was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before Western traders, explorers, and settlers arrived. An autonomous government was formed in the Oregon Country in 1843, the Oregon Territory was created in 1848, and Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859. Today, Oregon is the ninth largest and 27th most populous U.S. state. The capital of Oregon is Salem, the second most populous of its cities, with 160,614 residents.

Thanks John for sending me these nice cards!