This cover came from Mauritius, depicting 4 different stamps and featuring a joint issue Mauritius-China with pictures of 2 World Heritage Sites:
Le Morne Cultural Landscape in Mauritius and
The Great Wall in China.
Le Morne Cultural Landscape contains the giant basaltic monolith of Le Morne Brabant, a mountain on the Le Morne Peninsula in the extreme south west of Mauritius. It was here that runaway slaves, known as ‘maroons’ came to shelter throughout the 18th and first part of the 19th centuries, forming small settlements on the summit and within the barely accessible caves which lie almost hidden on the mountain’s near-vertical slopes. The physical and oral evidence that supports this use of Le Morne has made the mountain a potent symbol of the slaves’ fight for freedom - one that is especially relevant to the regions from which they originated – India, South East Asia, Madagascar and the African mainland – and today represented by the Creole people of Mauritius and their shared memories and traditions. In modern times Le Morne – due to its favoured position and extreme natural beauty – is perhaps equally or better known as one of the island’s best beach destinations, and its importance as a symbol of resistance is only enhanced by its aesthetic appeal. The famous natural landmark is also home to a broad variety of endemic plant species, and is the only habitat in Mauritius where the national flower, the Trochetia boutoniana can be found. Having come to symbolize China,
The Great Wall owns high status like the old saying that one who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a hero, and was listed as world cultural heritage in 1987 by UNESCO. Serving as the purpose of defense mostly, it went through different dynasties for destruction and construction, especially in Qin and Ming dynasty. Now with several sections of the Great Wall survived for tourists sightseeing to marvel at the massive architecture.
