The Netherlands

I'm usually not a fond of postcards that show paintings or artworks, but this is an exception indeed. The postcard was bought it Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and sent to me by my dear sis. She said it reminded her of home, Adriatic sea and Rovinj and I have to agree with her... You cannot not love The Sea at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, as this painting is called. Painting is a piece from series Saintes-Maries that Vincen van Gogh made in 1888 ( you can find an interesting video about this series here ). He wrote that the "Mediterranean Sea is a mackerel color: in other words, changeable – you do not always know whether it is green or purple, you do not always know if it is blue, as the next moment the ever-changing sheen has assumed a pink or a gray tint." 

The Netherlands

I'm not sure is this a sunset or a sunrise, but the colours are absolutely stunning! Maastricht is situated on the both banks of Meuse river, and its location is to thank for the name the city has now - the name Maastricht is derived from Latin Trajectum ad Mosam (or Mosae Trajectum), meaning "crossing at the Meuse". Maastricht is one of the oldest towns of Europe and has a very rich history and many interesting things to visit if you're a tourist, it is especially known for its picturesque squares and romantic streets. It has also become known as the birthplace of the European Union, European citizenship, and the single European currency, the euro, because of the Maastircht Treaty. 

The Netherlands

I received this colorful view over a field full of tulips a couple of days ago. Although tulips are very often associated with the Netherlands, commercial cultivation of the flower began in the Ottoman Empire. Tulips, or lale as they are also called in Iran, Turkey, Macedonia and Bulgaria comprise many species that together are indigenous to a vast area encompassing parts of Asia, Europe and north Africa.  It's a plant from genus Tulipa, of which up to 109 species have been described so far. 

The Netherlands

The flag of the Netherlands is a horizontal tricolour of red, white, and blue. It harks back to Charlemagne's time. Variants of the flag have been in use since 1572 and in 1937 the flag was officially formalized as the national flag of the Netherlands and of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is the oldest tricolor flag. Thans go to Tamara!

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I've received many officials lately, so here comes another one from the Netherlands, send by Edith. I also found some interesting facts about Amesterdam and the Netherlands in general. 

Amsterdam has over 1 million bikes but only 700,000 Amsterdammers. The name Amsterdam comes from the combination of the river Amstel and the Dam that was built on it in order to found the original village know today as Amsterdam. Amsterdam boasts more museums of any city in the world, measured per square meters. With over 70 major well know museums in Netherlands of which over 40 are in Amsterdam. Over 70% of the worlds bacon comes from the Netherlands.

If global warming causes the sea levels to rise even a little it could cause many problems for Amsterdam as it will be one of the first cities to get flooded, because it’s actually well below sea level and most of the country has been reclaimed from the sea so it is almost entirely flat and is 6.7 meters below sea level at its lowest point.

The Netherlands

A very rainy and cloudy day here in Rovinj, Croatia... I just hate these days, but in the other hand it's nice to be closed inside with a cup of tea, watching a good movie, or doing some updates ;) I decided to start with this common map card of the Netherlands that I've been noticing in many Postcrossers' received postcards/favourites and few days ago it reached my mailbox as well. Thanks to Peggy and her lottery that she opened in order to celebrate her trip to the USA next year. Have a nice trip, Peggy!

The Netherlands

A sunny day  in Rovinj, Croatia! What has the weather been acting at your part of the world? The autumn started here . . . But after such a hot dry summer it's a real  refreshment. I'm posting a postcard that reached me few days ago, as the part of Choose the Country RR - Special Group 500. It shows Prinsengracht, Wester church built in 1631.

    

The Netherlands

Marieke sent me one more card from the set Holland images. She says that ths photo is a perfect example of the area she lives in. And she used special Postcrossing stamp! Thank you!

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An official postcard that I got couple of days ago. Imagine, it comes from the Netherlands :) Louise wrote that they have a famous cheese market in her hometown Alkmaar. Thanks, Louise!

The Netherlands

Holland images are one of my favourite types of postcards from the Netherlands. This one shown above is a typical stereotypical image of Holland as an artificial amalgam of tulips and windmlins. As is the case with many stereotypes, this is far from the truth and reality of life in Holland. This can at least in part be explained by the active exploitation of these stereotypes in promotions of Holland and the Netherlands.

On the other hand, Ruben who sent me this lovely postcard wrote that landscapes like this can be seen a lot in the spring. However, I like the card quiet a lot, whether it's a stereotypical image or the reality.

                                           

As a Postcrosser, I don't even have to mention that I adore the Postcrossing stamp issued by the Dutch postal service.

The Netherlands

Maick sent me an antique map card of Europe with many nice stamps. As I like history quiet a lot, I found this map card just amazing. Thanks, Maick :)

Holland, the Netherlands

Holland is the region in the western Netherlands, but it is commonly used as the name of the whole country. Many Dutch people from others part of the country dislike this kind of usage. I also remember that our teacher, when we learnt about the Netherlands last year, told us that we must'n name Holland for the Netherlands.

However, Holland consists of the two Dutch provinces, North Holland and South Holland, which together include the Netherlands' three largest cities: capital city Amsterdam, seat of government The Hague and Rotterdam, home of Europe's largest port.

Dutch post issued  Poscrossing stamps on October 14th, 2011! There are several different stamps, both for Europe and the rest of the world, featuring the traditional postcard motives. Thanks to Karin for sending me this great postcard with a Postcrossing stamp. I just love it :)



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This is my 50th postcard published on the blog :) I am so happy that my virtual collection is growins so fast. I am also very glad that there are more visitors on my blog each day.

I didn't want to post any special card for this occasion, I just took one random card from the box where all my postcards are stored. It is an official postcard from Groningen, The Netherlands.

Two beautiful stamps from a set "Microbiology" were used. Thanks to Yousset!

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Amsterdam is the largest and the capital city oof the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits.The city is located in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. It comprises the northern part of the Randstad, one of the larger conurbations  in Europe, with a population of approximately 7 million.The river Amstel terminates in the city centre and connects to a large number of canals. Amsterdam is situated 2 metres above sea level. The surrounding land is flat as it is formed of large polders. To the southwest of the city lies a man-made forest called het Amsterdamese Bos. Parks and nature reserves make up 12% of Amsterdam's land area.

Bertie sent me this official card long time ago. It shows a usual building in Amsterdam and the canal in the front. I like the design of the postcard quiet a lot. Bertie used nice stamps as well.He also quoted Jonathan Swift's quote that I like very much and would like to post it here - May you live all the days of your life.

Thanks to Bertie :)