Peru

Postcard of a site that needs hardly and introduction, Machu Picchu. Built by the Inca around 1450 and abandoned around the time of the Spanish Conquest, it is now one of the New Seven Wonder of the World and a World Heritage site. Muchas gracias to my Mum for sending this to me while on holiday in South America.

The stamp, issued in 2009, commemorates the National Archaeology, Anthropology, and History Museum of Peru. Founded in 1826, it is the largest and oldest museum in Peru and covers the entire human history of the country.

Nicaragua II

Postcard of the Granada, one of the oldest cities founded by the Spanish in the New World and, ostensibly, the first European city founded on the American mainland. It was founded in 1524 and was one of Spain's major colonial cities in the region. It is on Nicaragua's Tentative List for World Heritage as a mixed site: City of Granada and its natural environment. Muchas gracia to friend Bobby for sending this card while on a Spanish language course.

I couldn't find any information about these stamps that say they were issued in 1994. They feature famous international football players.

Venezuela

Rather older postcard from my archives sent from a time when Venezuela actively promoted itself as a beach holiday destination. With the ongoing difficult political situation in the country, tourism has dropped off precipitously. There used to be direct flights from all over Canada to Margarita Island, pictured here, which have now long since stopped. Too bad, I'm told the country is a great travel destination.

Muchas gracias to my Mum for sending this to me on her holiday many moons ago.

Stamp from a 1996 set of two commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Venezuelan writer Mario Briceño-Iragorry. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1948.

Ecuador

Postcard from the city of Cotacachi in northern Ecuador. Cotacachi has one of the highest concentrations of indigenous people in the country. Every year in June local people celebrate Inti Raymi, the traditional Inca New Year's festival honouring the sun god Inti.

Thanks and gracias to my Mum for sending this card while on holiday in South America.

Two stamps, both issued in 2010. Stamp on the left is from a set of four on Ecuadorian diversity. It features the "Monument to the Middle of the World" straddling the Equator. Postcard on the right commemorates 50 years of CitiBank in Ecuador.

Chile

Multiview card of Chile showing famous sites from around the country. Until now, I'd say that Chile had been the "easiest" country on my Remaining Countries list. I guess that mantle now passes to Panama, or perhaps a Caribbean island frequented by North Americans for winter holidays, such as Aruba or Antigua.

Many thanks to friend Rubén, who was visiting friends in Chile.

Stamp on the left featuring a nativity scene, a Christmas issue from 1995. Stamp on the right from a 2013 set of six commemorating the third anniversary of the rescue of trapped miners in the San José mine in northern Chile.

Paraguay

Postcard from Paraguay showing a traditional dancer wearing ñandutí, Paraguayan embroidered lace. The name means "spider web" in Guaraní, the official, indigenous language of Paraguay. My many thanks to Devin for sending me this card. Devin, a Peace Corps volunteer, explains that the the money from sales of this postcard go to fund a photography programme for Paraguayan youth. Some of their work can be seen here.

Postcard did not come with a normal stamp but rather a "Taxe perçue" postage paid stamp and what I assume to be the postmark. Perhaps the post office had ran out of stamps that day. My hunt for a stamped card sent from Paraguay continues!

Dominican Republic

Postcard of Conde Street in the city centre of the capital, Santo Domingo. Part of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo World Heritage site. The street was one of the main streets in Santo Domingo during the colonial era and houses the first city hall and first cathedral built in the Americas. Santo Domingo is actually the oldest permanent European settlement in the New World.

Many thanks and much appreciation to friends Sarah who overcame many obstacles to get me this card. ¡Gracias, guapa!

Stamp commemorating Juan Pablo Duarte y Díez, a Dominican intellectual, poet and writer and one of the founding fathers of the country.

Honduras

Las ruinas de Copán, Honduras, C.A. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980.

Guatemala

Lago de Atitlán
Lake Atitlán is a large lake in the Guatamalan Highlands surrounded by three volcanos. Mayan culture and traditional dress are still largely prevalant in the villages and towns which surround the lake. The region is on the Tentative World Heritage List.
















Stamp shows a top from a 2009 series on traditional games.

El Salvador

La Catedral de Santa Ana
Santa Ana is the second-largest city in El Salvador, located not far from the capital, San Salvador. Construction on the cathedral began in 1906 and was designed to look like a Gothic cathedral in contrast to the Spanish Colonial Style of most of the cathedrals of El Salvador and the rest of Latin America.
















Radio El Salvador, 82 years of radio history.