Bulletin 104 - United Nations Postal Administration

WORLD HERITAGE - AFRICA
Item No. 301.3901
45 cents - United Republic of Tanzania:
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park, established in 1973, covers
an area of some 75,575 hectares. At 5,895 metres,
Kilimanjaro is not only the highest point in Africa,
but also one of the largest volcanoes in the world.
This volcanic massif stands in splendid isolation
above the surrounding plains, with its snowy
peak looming over the savannah. The mountain is
encircled by mountain forest. Numerous mammals,
many of them endangered species, live in the park.
Mount Kilimanjaro has three main volcanic peaks,
Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. The mountain has five
main vegetation zones from the lowest to the
highest point: lower slopes, montane forest, heath
and moorland, alpine desert and summit. The whole
mountain, including the montane forest belt, is very
rich in species, in particular mammals; however,
many are critically endangered or near extinction.
Threats to the property include increasing and
cumulative stress from sources such as adjacent
land use, downstream effects of air and water
pollution, invasive species, fire and climate change.
Kilimanjaro National Park was designated a World
Heritage site in 1987.
Item No. 301.3902
m a l i : o l d t o w n s o f d j e n n é
World Heritage - Africa
United Nations 2012
$1.05 - Mali: Old Towns of Djenné
45¢
United Nations 2012
World Heritage - Africa
U n i t e d R e p U b l i c o f t a n z a n i a :
K i l i m a n j a R o n a t i o n a l p a R K
$1.05
Djenné, chief town of the Djenné Circle is one of
the oldest towns of sub-Saharan Africa. Inhabited
since 250 B.C., Djenné became a market centre
and an important link in the trans-Saharan gold
trade. Its traditional houses, of which nearly 2,000
have survived, are built on hillocks (toguere) as
protection from the seasonal floods.
The cultural site “Old Towns of Djenné” is a
property comprising four archaeological sites,
namely, Djenné-Djeno, Hambarkétolo, Kaniana and
Tonomba, along with the old fabric of the present
town of Djenné. The property, which covers an area
of 48.5 hectares and is divided into ten districts, is
an ensemble that over many years has symbolized
the typical African city. It is also particularly
representative of Islamic architecture in sub-
Saharan Africa.
The property is characterized by the intensive
and remarkable use of earth specifically in its
architecture. The mosque, which is of great
monumental and religious value, is an outstanding
example of this. The town is renowned for its civic
constructions, with the distinctive style of verticality
and buttresses as well as the elegant monumental
houses with intricate facades.
The property “Old Towns of Djenné” still retains the
archaeological, historic and religious outstanding
universal values which justified its inscription on
the UNESCO World Heritage List (1988).
Item No. 501.3903
Nations Unies 2012
F.s. 0,85 - Democratic Republic of the
Congo: Virunga National Park
F.S. 0,85
Patrimoine mondial - L’Afrique
RépUbliqUe démocRatiqUe dU congo :
p a R c n a t i o n a l d e s V i R U n g a
Virunga National Park, covering an area of 790,000
hectares, lies in the north-east of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, on the border with Uganda
and Rwanda. It comprises an outstanding diversity
of habitats ranging from swamps and steppes,
savannas and lava plains, lowland and forests, to
high-altitude glaciers and mountain peaks. It was
inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979.
Virunga National Park presents some of the most
dramatic mountain scenery in Africa. The rugged
Ruwenzori mountains with their steep slopes and
valleys culminate in snowcapped peaks above
5,000 metres. The Virunga Massif with its densely
forested slopes and active volcanoes are areas of
exceptional natural beauty.
The great diversity of habitats harbours an
exceptional biodiversity of plants and animals,
including endemic as well as rare and globally
endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla.
It is home to an exceptional variety of wildlife,
including elephants, buffalo, antelope, lions and
various monkeys. Large numbers of pelicans occur
in the lower valleys and some 20,000 hippopotamus,
the highest concentration in Africa, live along the
shores of the rivers.
Item No. 501.3904
F.s. 1,00 - Tunisia: Amphitheatre of El Jem
The Amphitheatre of El Jem, located in a plain in
central Tunisia is undoubtedly the most impressive
Roman monument in Africa. This third century
monument stands 30 meters high, with a diameter
of well over 100 metres, almost as large as the
Colosseum in Rome. Its size and its capacity,
judged to be around 35,000 spectators, make it
without a doubt among the largest amphitheatres
in the world.
The impressive ruins of this large colosseum, is
built entirely of stone blocks, with no foundations
and is free-standing. In this respect it is modelled
on the Colosseum of Rome. Its facade comprises
three levels of arcades of Corinthian or composite
style. Inside, the monument has preserved most
of the supporting infrastructure for the tiered
seating. The wall of the podium, the arena and the
underground passages are practically intact.
This architectural and artistic creation built around
238 A.D. constitutes an important milestone in the
comprehension of the history of Roman Africa. The
Amphitheatre of El Jem also bears witness to the
prosperity of the small city of Thysdrus at the time of
the Roman Empire. Although it has been renovated
over time, the monument has preserved many of its
architectural and architectonic components. It was
inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010.
Item No. 701.3905
tUnisie : l’amphithéâtRe d’el jem
Nations Unies 2012
Patrimoine mondial - L’Afrique
Vereinte Nationen 2012
Welterbe - Afrika
€ 0,62 - Kenya: Kenya Lake System
F.S. 1,00
E 0,62
The Kenya Lake System in the Rift Valley Province
of Kenya is comprised of three interlinked, relatively
shallow lakes, namely, Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru
and Lake Elementaita. These lakes, which cover
an area of over 32,000 hectares, are found on the
floor of the Great Rift Valley, where major volcanic
events have shaped a distinctive landscape.
Some of the world’s greatest diversities and
concentrations of bird species are recorded within
these relatively small lake systems. The property
is home to 13 globally threatened bird species and
some of the highest bird diversities in the world. It
is the single most important foraging site for the
lesser flamingo anywhere, and a major nesting and
Kenia: seen des gReat Rift Valley
breeding ground for great white pelicans. For most
of the year, up to 4 million lesser flamingos move
between the three shallow lakes in an outstanding
wildlife spectacle. The property also features
sizeable mammal populations, including the black
rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, greater kudu, lion,
cheetah and wild dog.
Surrounded by hot springs, geysers and the steep
escarpment of the Rift Valley with its volcanic
outcrops, the natural setting of the lakes provides
an exceptional experience of nature. A natural
property of outstanding beauty, the Kenya Lake
System was inscribed on the World Heritage List
in 2011.
Item No. 701.3906
maRoKKo: medina Von maRRaKesch
Vereinte Nationen 2012
Welterbe - Afrika
€ 0,70 - Morocco: Medina of Marrakesh
E 0,70
The Medina of Marrakesh, located in central
Morocco is an old Islamic capital originating from
the eleventh century. The city owes its original
splendour to the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties,
which made Marrakesh their capital.
Founded in 1070–1072 by the Almoravids, Marrakesh
remained a political, economic and cultural centre
for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout
the western Muslim world, from North Africa
to Andalusia, and played a decisive role in the
development of medieval planning.
Marrakesh has several impressive monuments.
The famous Koutoubiya Mosque, with its 77 metre
minaret, was built during the twelfth century under
the Almohad dynasty. It is a splendid monument
of Muslim architecture and is one of the important
landmarks of the urban landscape and the symbol
of the city. Other monuments are the Kasbah,
the Bandiâ Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the
Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Jamaâ
El Fna square, an amazing open-air theatre.
Marrakesh remains a vibrant city steeped in history,
with its maze of narrow streets, houses, central
square (Jamaâ El Fna), markets (souks), traditional
crafts and trade activities. Inscribed on the World
Heritage List in 1985, it has retained many of
its historic cultural and natural properties that
illustrate its outstanding universal value.
WORLD HERITAGE - AFRICA
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