BRAZIL

An amazing cover from Brazil, depicting a complete set issued in 2001 with 8 stamps of endemic Fauna and Flora from the Pantanal. The Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world's largest tropical wetland area, and the world's largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. It sprawls over an area estimated at between 140,000 and 195,000 square kilometres. Various subregional ecosystems exist, each with distinct hydrological, geological and ecological characteristics; up to 12 of them have been defined. Roughly 80% of the Pantanal floodplains are submerged during the rainy seasons, nurturing a biologically diverse collection of aquatic plants and helping to support a dense array of animal species. Pantanal Conservation Area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

UKRAINE

This cover from Ukraine depicts 2 stamps of each type (issued in 2015) featuring theDrohobych-Tserkva of Saint George in Ukraine and the Kwiatón-Tserkva of Saint Paraskeva in Poland. The Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine are a group of wooden Orthodox (and some Eastern Catholic) churches located in Poland and Ukraine which were inscribed in 2013 on the UNESCO World Heritage List which explains: built of horizontal wooden logs between the 16th and 19th centuries by communities of Orthodox and Greek Catholic faiths. The tserkvas bear testimony to a distinct building tradition rooted in Orthodox ecclesiastic design interwoven with elements of local tradition, and symbolic references to their communities’ cosmogony. — World Heritage Centre.

SOUTH AFRICA

This cover from South Africa depict a complete set issued in 2012 celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vredefort Dome. The Vredefort crater is the largest verified impact crater on Earth. It was 160–300 km across when it was formed; what remains of it is in the present-day Free State province of South Africa. It is named after the town of Vredefort, which is near its centre. Although the crater itself has long since been eroded away, the remaining geological structures at its centre are known as the Vredefort Dome or Vredefort impact structure. The crater is calculated to be 2.023 billion years old, with impact being in the Paleoproterozoic Era. It is the second-oldest known crater on Earth, after Yarrabubba crater. In 2005, the Vredefort Dome was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its geologic interest.

SWEDEN

This cover from Sweden depicts 2 stamps of same type, issued in 2005, celebrating Skogskyrkogården. Skogskyrkogården, "The Woodland Cemetery", is a cemetery located south of central Stockholm, in Gamla Enskede district. It was designed by architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz on the site of former gravel pits overgrown with pine trees. It was built in 1917–1920, with additional buildings being added until 1940. Skogskyrkogården is a significant example of how architectural features can be wholly integrated into the environment and has had a profound influence on cemetery design in many countries worldwide. In 1994, Skogskyrkogården was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and although it does not have the number of famous interments as the Norra begravningsplatsen, its much older counterpart in northern Stockholm, it is a major tourist attraction. At the Tallum Pavilion (a building designed originally by Asplund as staff facilities), visitors can see an exhibition about the cemetery and the story of its origins and the two architects whose vision created it.

FRANCE

This cover from France depict a miniature sheet issued in 2021 with a detail of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The monument is part of the World Heritage Site Paris, Banks of the Seine. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Paris, Banks of the Seine, is a collection of properties that cover cultural importance to France and its neighboring areas. Hence, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. The total area covered includes Paris and those that are along the banks of the Seine, which is about 365 hectares in land area.

SERBIA

A nice UNESCO cover from Serbia, depicting 4 stamps of same type (issued in 2021) celebrating the "Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius". Gamzigrad is an archaeological site, spa resort and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Serbia, located south of the Danube river, in the city of Zaječar. It is the location of the ancient Roman complex of palaces and temples Felix Romuliana, built by Emperor Galerius in Dacia Ripensis. The Late Roman fortified palace compound and memorial complex was commissioned by Emperor Caius Valerius Galerius Maximianus in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. It was known as Felix Romuliana, named after the emperor’s mother. The site consists of fortifications, the palace in the north-western part of the complex, basilicas, temples, hot baths, memorial complex, and a tetrapylon. The group of buildings is also unique in its intertwining of ceremonial and memorial functions. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007.

SPAIN

This cover from Spain depict a 0,24€ UNESCO stamp celebrating the Palau de la Musica and Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelone. Both buildings were constructed in the early 20th century and designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in the modernist Art Nouveau movement that was very popular in Barcelona in that period. The two buildings are Montaner's most famous works and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

ROMANIA

This cover from Romania depicts 2 stamps of 1L40 celebrating the Danube Delta, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991. The Danube Delta (Romanian: Delta Dunării) is the second largest river delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta, and is the best preserved on the continent. The greater part of the Danube Delta lies in Romania (Tulcea County), with a small part in Ukraine (Odessa Oblast). Its approximate surface area is 4,152 km2, of which 3,446 km2 is in Romania. The Danube Delta, where the Danube river enters the Black Sea, is the largest European wetland. It is home to over 300 bird and 45 freshwater fish species. Important species include sturgeons, European mink, European wildcat, Eurasian otter, and the threatened monk seal.

BRAZIL

THis cover from Brazil depict a R$1,30 stamp issued in 2001 celebrating the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas. Congonhas (Congonhas do Campo until 1948) is a historical Brazilian city located in the state of Minas Gerais. It is a well preserved historic city and retains the characteristics of a baroque city, with its churches, buildings and museums. The city is known for its basilica - the Santuário do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, commissioned by Portuguese adventurer and miner Feliciano Mendes in 1757 and completed in 1775. In the ramped forecourt of the basilica are twelve soapstone sculptures depicting Twelve Prophets, crafted by Aleijadinho, one of the best artists in the baroque style in the world. The twelve sculptures of old testament prophets around the terrace are considered one of his finest works. Around the forecourt are six chapels with painted wooden scenes depicting the Stations of the Cross. In 1985 the Sanctuary was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its exemplary Baroque architecture and art.

PORTUGAL

A beautiful cover from my country, Portugal, depicting a miniature sheet issued in 2012 with a view of the Historic Centre of Oporto. Porto or Oporto is the second-largest city in Portugal, the capital of the Porto District, and one of the Iberian Peninsula's major urban areas. Porto city proper, which is the entire municipality of Porto, is small compared to its metropolitan area, with an estimated population of just 232,000 people in a municipality with only 41.42 km2. Porto's metropolitan area has around 1.7 million people in an area of 2,395 km2, making it the second-largest urban area in Portugal. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, as "Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar". The historic area is also a National Monument of Portugal. The western part of its urban area extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Its settlement dates back many centuries, when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire.

BRAZIL

This cover from Brazil depict a joint issue with Syria issued in 2010, with an image of Christ The Redemeer in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which is part of the UNESCO site "Rio de Janeiro - Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the sea". The listed site consists of an exceptional urban setting rather than built heritage. It encompasses the key natural elements that have shaped and inspired the development of the city: from the highest points of the Tijuca National Park's mountains down to the sea. They also include the Botanical Gardens, established in 1808, Corcovado Mountain with its celebrated statue of Christ and the hills around Guanabara Bay, including the extensive designed landscapes along Copacabana Bay which have contributed to the outdoor living culture of this spectacular city. Rio de Janeiro is also recognized for the artistic inspiration it has provided to musicians, landscapers and urbanists.

INDIA

THis cover from India depict a 5,00 stamp (the one with the Monkey), celebrating the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. Manas National Park is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. Manas is famous for its population of the Wild water buffalo. The Manas National Park was declared a sanctuary on 1 October 1928 with an area of 360 km2. Manas bio reserve was created in 1973. Prior to the declaration of the sanctuary, it was a reserved forest called Manas R.F. and North Kamrup R.F. It was used by the Cooch Behar royal family and Raja of Gauripur as a hunting reserve. In 1951 and 1955, the area was increased to 391 km2. It was declared a World Heritage Site in December 1985 by UNESCO. Kahitama R.F. the Kokilabari R.F. and the Panbari R.F. were added in the year 1990 to form the Manas National Park. In 1992, UNESCO declared it as a world heritage site in danger due to heavy poaching and terrorist activities. On 25 February 2008, the area was increased to 500 km2. On 21 June 2011, it was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger and was commended for its efforts in preservation.