Postcard from Antarctica (Arctowski Station) (Антарктика)

Can't believe that I got this surprise postcard from -  Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station!

 

       It is a research station on King George Island, off the coast of Antarctica.

       Named for Henryk Arctowski (1871-1959), who as meteorologist had accompanied the Belgian explorer Baron Adrien de Gerlache on the Belgian Antarctic Expedition "Belgica", 1897-1899. This was the first expedition to overwinter in Antarctica. He proposed the original notion of a wind chill factor, arguing that wind could be as damaging to human flesh as cold in harsh climates.

       The station was established on 26 February 1977. It is managed by the Polish Academy of Sciences, and its main research areas include marine biology, oceanography, geology, geomorphology, glaciology, meteorology, climatology, seismology, magnetism and ecology.

       Because it is readily accessible, and the Polish staffers are friendly, it is one of the most-visited scientific stations in Antarctica. A greenhouse provides fresh vegetables. The beaches near the station have numerous whale bones, relics of the time when the site was used to process whales killed nearby.

       The station is near colonies of three different types of Pygoscelis penguins (Adelies, chinstraps, and gentoos), and has been designated a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) as provided by the Antarctic Treaty.

 

Many many thanks to Marek!

 

Postcard from Andorra (Открытка из Андорры)

Amazing view postcard from -  Andorra!
 

       officially the Principality of Andorra (Catalan: Principat d'Andorra), also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra (Catalan: Principat de les Valls d'Andorra), is a sovereign landlocked microstate in Southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. Created under a charter in 988, the present principality was formed in 1278. It is known as a principality as it is a diarchy headed by two Co-Princes – the Catholic Bishop of Urgell in Spain, and the President of France.

       Andorra is the sixth-smallest nation in Europe, having an area of 468 km² and a population of approximately 77,281.Andorra is the 16th-smallest country in the world by land and 11th-smallest country by population. Its capital Andorra la Vella is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 metres  above sea level. The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken.

       Andorra's tourism services an estimated 10.2 million visitors annually. It is not a member of the European Union, but the euro is the official currency. It has been a member of the United Nations since 1993. In 2013, the people of Andorra had the highest life expectancy in the world at 81 years, according to The Lancet.

 

Thank you so much dear Michel!

Postcard from Germany (Открытка из Германии)

Beautiful incoming from -  Germany!

       officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland,), is a federal parliamentary republic in central-western Europe. It includes 16 constituent states, covers an area of 357,021 square kilometres (137,847 sq mi), and has a largely temperate seasonal climate. With about 82 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous member state of the European Union. After the United States, it is the second most popular immigration destination in the world. Germany's capital and largest metropolis is Berlin, while its largest conurbation is the Ruhr, with its main centres of Dortmund and Essen.

       With a population of 80.2 million according to the 2011 census, rising to 81.5 million as at 30 June 2015 and to at least 81.9 million as at 31 December 2015, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union, the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and ranks as the 16th most populous country in the world.

       German is the official and predominant spoken language in Germany.

 

What to say thank you to Simone!

Postcard from Niue (Открытка из Ниуэ)

Incoming some blank and written and stamped rare paradise from magnificent -  Niue!

       Niue ( Niuean: Niuē) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,400 kilometres northeast of New Zealand, east of Tonga, south of Samoa, and west of the Cook Islands. Niue's land area is about 261 square kilometres and its population, predominantly Polynesian, was around 1,612 as of November 2016. The island is commonly referred to as "The Rock", which comes from the traditional name "Rock of Polynesia".

       Niue, whose capital is the village of Alofi, is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand; and New Zealand conducts most diplomatic relations (though not all) on its behalf. Niueans are citizens of New Zealand, and Queen Elizabeth II is head of state in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand. Between 90–95% of Niuean people live in New Zealand, along with about 70% of the speakers of the Niuean language. A bilingual country, Niue has over 30% of its population speak both Niuean and English, though the percentage of monolingual English-speaking people is only 11%, while 46% are monolingual Niuean speakers. Rugby is the most played sport in Niue. In October 2016, Niue officially declared that all its national debt was paid off, and that there was no longer any national debt in Niue.

Very grateful to Sosara!

GF Czech Republic postcard

Let's start new collection in My postcard's world!

Let me introduce "Greetings from..." series from polish postcard site postallove.com.
This postcard were created by Ewa Słocińska!
On this postcard you can read very interesting facts about country and see wonderful view!

Thank you for sending me postcard, Otto!