Erik – World of Postcards

Map of Martinique

Martinique is a Caribbean island and an overseas region of France. And thus it is a part of the European Union, and its currency is the euro. It was discovered on 15 January 1502 by Christopher Columbus. Today its economy is heavily dependent on tourism. Its largest town and the capital is Fort-de-France, where this postcard was sent from. Fun facts: Martinique served as a home port for French pirates, and was the first coffee-growing area in the Western hemisphere.

This postcard has “digital” postmark, which contains ROC (Référentiel des Organisations du Courrier, or Repository of Mail Organizations, used by French La Poste to identify distribution offices and mail processing centers) has number 19460A , which according to various sources I found online corresponds to the regular postal code 97200 of Fort-de-France.

Martinique map postcard

Martinique stamps postmark

Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an island country in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of 29 coral atolls and five islands, of which 24 are inhabited. Rising waters due to the climate change threatens the very existence of the islands, as many atolls lie barely a meter above sea level. The Marshall Islands were administered by the United States after WWII, and they are now a sovereign nation under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Postal services are provided by USPS too, as seen on the postmark on this card.

Marshall Islands postcard

Marshall Islands stamps postmark

Malta

Malta is an island country located in the Mediterranean Sea. It comprises five islands, three of which are inhabited. The official language is the Maltese language, which developed from a dialect of Arabic. It is the only form of Arabic to be written in the Latin alphabet. With Mediterranean climate Malta is a popular summertime tourist destination. The name of the country literally means “place of honey” or “sweetness”. The whole territory of Malta constitutes a single urban region, and it is increasingly referred to as a city-state.

Malta postcard

Malta stamps postmark

Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu, Mali

The Djinguereber Mosque is a famous learning center of Mali. It was built in 1327, and it is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Timbuktu, where the mosque is located, is an ancient city in the Republic of Mali. It not the capital city, but is one of the regional centers in the country. The city is located on the southern edge of the Sahara desert. Once a major trade center and a known academic spot of the medieval world, today Timbuktu is in uneasy situation because of regional crisis.

Check out the Postcards From Timbuktu project if you’d like a postcard from this special city.

Mali postcard

Mali stamps postmark

Mali postmark

Malé Atoll, Maldives

The Maldives, independent island country, is renowned for its white sandy beaches, strikingly blue water, unique underwater marine life, and luxury resorts. The archipelago consists of 1,190 coral islands in the Indian Ocean with the capital of Malé — part of Malé Atoll pictured on this postcard. All uninhabited islands in Malé Atoll are tourist resorts today. The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, which is a unique language (with roots in Sanskrit) spoken only by the people of Maldives.

Maldives postcard

Maldives stamp postmark

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. It has population of over 2.2 million people. Kuala Lumpur means “muddy confluence” in Malay — the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers. As seen on this postcard Kuala Lumpur is contemporary city, its modern skyline is filled with gleaming skyscrapers, with the 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers dominating over the rest. The city is said to be in an unofficial rivalry with nearby Singapore.

Malaysia postcard

Malaysia stamp

Lake Malawi

Malawi is rather small country in southeastern Africa, and is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa” for its friendly people. Its defining feature is Lake Malawi — the world’s first freshwater national park, Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lake takes up 1/5 of country’s area. The country’s landscape showcases the breathtaking Great Rift Valley and majestic Mount Mulanje. Malawi achieved it’s independence from British rule in 1964.

Malawi Postcard

Malawi stamps

Funchal city, Madeira

Autonomous Region of Madeira is one of two autonomous regions of Portugal (the other is Azores). And Funchal is the capital city of Madeira. The city name comes from the impressive amount of fennel (funcho in the Portuguese language) growing in this where the city is located. The postcard shows the magnificent view of the city, but you probably can observe even better views from a gondola riding the Madeira Cable Car.

Funchal Madeira postcard

Madeira stamp postmark

Russian Regions List (printable)

I noticed many collectors of Сountries, US states, UNESCO WH sites, and similar lists use printed or written lists of their collections to keep track of what they already have, and what is still needed. I’ve been asked, occasionally, by collectors to send some mail (covers mostly) around Russia on their behalf, for their “Russian regions” collections, so I know it’s a “thing” for some philatelists, at least. I’m sure most people keep their lists in digital form, but for those who like to check of boxes or cross out words on physical paper, I’ve made this printable list of Russian Regions (actual as of early 2024).

Click here to open Russian Regions List full size version (A4 size)

North Macedonia

or just Macedonia, as it was called when I received this postcard, is a European country located in the geographical region that was part of ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. Throughout the history it was part of Roman and Byzantine Empires, ruled by Ottomans, was part of Yugoslavia… imagine the historical footprint of this land! I bet there are a lot to see and explore there.

North Macedonia postcard