Saint Pierre and Miquelon

The Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a group of small French islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, the main islands being Saint Pierre and Miquelon, south of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The islands are as close as 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Green Island, part of Newfoundland. The archipelago has the status of overseas collectivity within France. It is the only remnant of the former colonial empire of New France that remains under French control. Saint-Pierre is French for Saint Peter, who is a patron saint of fishermen. The present name of Miquelon was first noted in the form of "Micquelle" in the Basque sailor Martin de Hoyarçabal's navigational pilot for Newfoundland. It has been claimed that the name "Miquelon" is a Basque form of Michael, but it appears that this is not a usual form in that language. Many Basques speak Spanish as well as their native-tongue, and Miquelon may have been influenced by the Spanish name Miguelón, a form of Miguel meaning "big Michael". BTW this is my first card from these islands, and the stamp on it is also my first from SP & M. Thank you Christine for sending this card.

Finland – Nature and Finland

This lovely card is all about Nature and Finland. National Parks are Finland’s Natural Treasures. National parks are over-1,000-hectare protected areas, which are also natural sights open to everyone. Their primary purpose is to ensure the diversity of Finnish nature. National parks are established by law on state-owned lands. The natural features and landscape in national parks are typical of Finland, but they are also a nationally and internationally valuable part of our nature. They have within them national landscapes and other natural sights. This nice card was sent to me by Kathleen.

Germany

A calendar card showing lighthouses in Germany, besides of course the months and days of 2011. This nice card was sent to me by Helga.

Japan

A luxury liner with Mount Fujiyama in the background. Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft). An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about 60 miles south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and photographs, as well as visited by sightseers and climbers. It is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. This nice card was sent to me by Y. Yonchara

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet). Nearly two billion years of the Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. While the specific geologic processes and timing that formed the Grand Canyon is the subject of debate by geologists, recent evidence suggests the Colorado River established its course through the canyon at least 17 million years ago. Since that time, the Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to the point we see it at today. Before European immigration, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon ("Ongtupqa" in Hopi language) a holy site and made pilgrimages to it. The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, who arrived in 1540. Thank you Hemant. This is really a very impressive card.

UK – Henry Blogg, G.C., B.E.M

One of the Bravest Men Who Ever Lived. Coxswain Henry Blogg (1876-1954) was the RNLI's most decorated lifeboatman. During his 53 years of service Blogg was awarded three Gold and four Silver RNLI medals for gallantry, as well as the George Cross and British Empire Medal. The card shows his awards and all his medals. With the assistance of his dedicated crew, he launched some 387 times and helped to save 873 lives around the Cromer coast. This card will always be very special for me. Thank you Mary.

San Giulio Island

San Giulio Island (Isola di San Giulio) is an island within Lake Orta in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. The island is 275 meters long (north/south), and is 140 meters wide (east/west). The largest structure on the island is the Basilica of Saint Giulio. The large island, just west of the lakeshore village of Orta San Giulio, has some very picturesque buildings, and takes its name from a local saint (Julius of Novara), who lived in the fourth century. In the 9th century the bishop of Novara built the Basilica of Saint Giulio on the island. William of Volpiano (Saint William of Dijon) was born here in 962, in the family citadel located on the island.

According to the legend, a big serpent that destroyed everything dominated the Island of St. Giulio. But when St. Giulio, who had the power to command the waves, the storms, wild animals and human beings, arrived near the lake, waving his hand. He chased away the dangerous and menacing animal. He reached the Island journeying over the water on his cloak guided by his staff. The big reptile disappeared and St. Giulio, tired and near to his death, thought that the island was the right place to build his hundredth and last church dedicated to the Holy Apostles. The Island of San Giulio is today a place of great mysticism. Here was born in 962 William of Volpiano, during the siege to Queen Willa by Emperor Otto, King Berengario II's wife, who had taken the Island from the Bishop of Novara. The big central building was a Castle. The island was the governor 's seat that represented the bishop. In 1842 it was destroyed to build a seminary in its place. Now there is a Benedictin monastery that helps giving more mystic power to a place that is by nature immersed in the silence. This pretty card was sent to me by Barbara.