ARGENTINA / BRAZIL - Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)

"The ruins of São Miguel das Missões in Brazil, and those of San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa María la Mayor in Argentina, lie at the heart of a tropical forest. They are the impressive remains of five Jesuit missions, built in the land of the Guaranis during the 17th and 18th centuries. Each is characterized by a specific layout and a different state of conservation." - https://whc.unesco.org

Thank you so much, Jean Pierre for this UNESCO postcard

with stamp issued in France!

I must be very interesting to visit the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. ^-^

(UNESCO has issued its own stamp since 1961---which can be used in mails posted from UNESCO Headquarters or Maison de l'UNESCO at 

Number 7 Place de Fontenoy in Paris, France)



BRAZIL - Brasilia

"Brasilia, a capital created ex nihilo in the centre of the country in 1956, was a landmark in the history of town planning. Urban planner Lucio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer intended that every element – from the layout of the residential and administrative districts (often compared to the shape of a bird in flight) to the symmetry of the buildings themselves – should be in harmony with the city’s overall design. The official buildings, in particular, are innovative and imaginative." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Thank you so much Nathan for night view card of Brasilia!


Postcard 2: Palace of the National Congress

Thank you so much Carla for this awesome postcard!
The stamps are cute too! ^-^

BRAZIL - Pampulha Modern Ensemble

"The Pampulha Modern Ensemble was the centre of a visionary garden city project created in 1940 at Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais State. Designed around an artificial lake, this cultural and leisure centre included a casino, a ballroom, the Golf Yacht Club and the São Francisco de Assis church. The buildings were designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, in collaboration with innovative artists. The Ensemble comprises bold forms that exploit the plastic potential of concrete, while fusing architecture, landscape design, sculpture and painting into a harmonious whole. It reflects the influence of local traditions, the Brazilian climate and natural surroundings on the principles of modern architecture." -http://whc.unesco.org

Thank you so much Marta of Portugal for sharing with me this UNESCO postcard!

BRAZIL - Iguaçu National Park

"The park shares with Iguazú National Park in Argentina one of the world’s largest and most impressive waterfalls, extending over some 2,700 m. It is home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, among them the giant otter and the giant anteater. The clouds of spray produced by the waterfall are conducive to the growth of lush vegetation." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Thank you Priscila for sending me a UNESCO card as official postcrossing card! =)


Postcard 2

Amazing aerial view of Iguazu Falls!
Thank you so much Jean Pierre for this postcard!

BRAZIL - Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina

"Diamantina, a colonial village set like a jewel in a necklace of inhospitable rocky mountains, recalls the exploits of diamond prospectors in the 18th century and testifies to the triumph of human cultural and artistic endeavour over the environment." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Another great card from Tito. Thank you so much Tito! =)

Postcard 2: Capela de Nossa Senhora do Rosario dos Pretos

Thank you so much, Sergio for sharing another view of the UNESCO Site, Diamantina!
I also like the stamp showing the "Art of Brazilian Football"! It's so cute!

BRAZIL - Pantanal Conservation Area

"The Pantanal Conservation Complex consists of a cluster of four protected areas with a total area of 187,818 ha. Located in western central Brazil at the south-west corner of the State of Mato Grosso, the site represents 1.3% of Brazil's Pantanal region, one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The headwaters of the region's two major river systems, the Cuiabá and the Paraguay rivers, are located here, and the abundance and diversity of its vegetation and animal life are spectacular." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Thank you so much Sergio for sending me this colorful card!
Always brightens up my day... =)

Postcard 2

Giant water lily pads at Pantanal Wetlands in Brazil!
Another surprise postcard from Jean Pierre of France!
Thank you so much for always being so thoughtful, JP!

BRAZIL - Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves

"The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, in the states of Paraná and São Paulo, contain some of the best and most extensive examples of Atlantic forest in Brazil. The 25 protected areas that make up the site (some 470,000 ha in total) display the biological wealth and evolutionary history of the last remaining Atlantic forests. From mountains covered by dense forests, down to wetlands, coastal islands with isolated mountains and dunes, the area comprises a rich natural environment of great scenic beauty." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1: Jureia-Itatins Ecological Station

"On the postcard you will see the Jureia Itatins Ecological Station,

one of the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves.", shares Lucas.

Thank you so much for this card Lucas!

Though I received it damaged...

Postcard 2: Ilha do Mel Ecological Station

Thank you so much, Andrea for sharing with me this wonderful postcard!
Special thanks for the cute stamps and the one depicting the 2014 FIFA World Cup!

25 Protected Stations

1. Jureia-Itatins Ecological Station
2. Chauas Ecological Station
3. Guaraquecaba Ecological Station
4. Ilha do Mel Ecological Station
5. Xitue Ecological Station
6. Guaraguacu Ecological Station
7. Superagui National Park
8. Pariquera - Abaixo State Park
9. Jacupiranga State Park (part of)
10.  Ilha do Cardoso State Park
11. Carlos Botelho State Park
12. Pico do Marumbi State Park
13. Intervales State Park
14. Lauraceas State Park
15. Alto Ribeira Touristic State Park (PETAR)
16. Salto Morato Private Reserve
17. Serras do Cordeiro, Paratiu, Itapua e Itinga Wild Life Zone
18. Serras do Arrepiado e Tombador Wild Life Zone
19.  Mangues Wild Life Zone
20. Serra do Itapitangui (e Mandira) Wild Life Zone
21. Ilhas oceanicas Wild Life Zone
22. Roberto E Lange Turistical Preservation Zone & State Park
23.  Serra da Graciosa Turistical Preservation
24.  Zone & State Park Pau Oco Turistical Preservation Zone & State Park
25. Ilha Comprida Wild Life Zone

BRAZIL - Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves

"Peaks of the Southern Atlantic submarine ridge form the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll off the coast of Brazil. They represent a large proportion of the island surface of the South Atlantic and their rich waters are extremely important for the breeding and feeding of tuna, shark, turtle and marine mammals. The islands are home to the largest concentration of tropical seabirds in the Western Atlantic. Baia de Golfinhos has an exceptional population of resident dolphin and at low tide the Rocas Atoll provides a spectacular seascape of lagoons and tidal pools teeming with fish." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Thank you so much, Claudinei for this wonderful card!

It looks like a slice of paradise indeed!

Postcard 2

My second UNESCO touchnote card.

The place looks cool!

Thank you so much, Mayla!

BRAZIL - Serra da Capivara National Park

"Many of the numerous rock shelters in the Serra da Capivara National Park are decorated with cave paintings, some more than 25,000 years old. They are an outstanding testimony to one of the oldest human communities of South America." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Thank you so much Fatima for this surprise postcard that shows the Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara - Piaui!

A great add to my UNESCO collection...
Special thanks for the stamps! Happy to have the World Youth Day 2013 stamp! ^-^

Postcard 2

"Here you can see the Pierced Stone, the most famous rock formation at the park",
shares Rafael.
Thank you so much, Rafael for sharing this wonderful postcard! :)

BRAZIL - Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás

"Goiás testifies to the occupation and colonization of the lands of central Brazil in the 18th and 19th centuries. The urban layout is an example of the organic development of a mining town, adapted to the conditions of the site. Although modest, both public and private architecture form a harmonious whole, thanks to the coherent use of local materials and vernacular techniques." -http://whc.unesco.org

Great UNESCO card with great stamps!

Thank you so much again, Sergio!

BRAZIL - Historic Centre of São Luís

"The late 17th-century core of this historic town, founded by the French and occupied by the Dutch before coming under Portuguese rule, has preserved the original rectangular street plan in its entirety. Thanks to a period of economic stagnation in the early 20th century, an exceptional number of fine historic buildings have survived, making this an outstanding example of an Iberian colonial town." -http://whc.unesco.org

"Some views of the Historic Centre of São Luis..." shares Sergio.

Thank you so much for sharing with me this card! =)

BRAZIL - Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea

"The site consists of an exceptional urban setting encompassing 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." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1

Glad to have this card a few years back...

That means, the site wasn't on the UNESCO list at that time...

Thank you so much Elaine for this wonderful card!

Postcard 2

Got to have this card over 3 years ago.

Thank you so much, Evelyn!

BRAZIL - Historic Town of Ouro Preto

"Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century. With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city’s influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity and the exceptional talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho." -http://whc.unesco.org

What makes this card special?

Both postcard and one of the stamps used shows the UNESCO Site Ouro Preto!

Thank you so much Karina!

Hugs from Palawan, PHILIPPINES!

BRAZIL - Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda

"Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, the town’s history is linked to the sugar-cane industry. Rebuilt after being looted by the Dutch, its basic urban fabric dates from the 18th century. The harmonious balance between the buildings, gardens, 20 Baroque churches, convents and numerous small passos (chapels) all contribute to Olinda’s particular charm." -http://whc.unesco.org

Glad to have this card of Olinda, Walter!

Thank you so much!

BRAZIL - Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia

"As the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia witnessed the blending of European, African and Amerindian cultures. It was also, from 1558, the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations. The city has managed to preserve many outstanding Renaissance buildings. A special feature of the old town are the brightly coloured houses, often decorated with fine stucco-work." -http://whc.unesco.org

Colorful houses of Bahia! Thank you so much for this, Mirella! =) 
Special thanks for using many stamps!

BRAZIL - Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas

"This sanctuary in Minais Gerais, south of Belo Horizonte was built in the second half of the 18th century. It consists of a church with a magnificent Rococo interior of Italian inspiration; an outdoor stairway decorated with statues of the prophets; and seven chapels illustrating the Stations of the Cross, in which the polychrome sculptures by Aleijadinho are masterpieces of a highly original, moving, expressive form of Baroque art." -http://whc.unesco.org

Thank you so much Tito for this great card! =)