ARGENTINA -200 years-

ARGENTINA!

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic (Spanish: República Argentina, pronounced [reˈpuβlika arxenˈtina]), is the second largest country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires. It is the eighth-largest country in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations, though Mexico, Colombia and Spain are more populous.
Argentina's continental area is between the Andes mountain range in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. It borders Paraguay and Bolivia to the north, Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast, and Chile to the west and south. Argentine claims over Antarctica, overlapping claims made by Chile and the United Kingdom, are suspended by the Antarctic Treaty of 1961. Argentina also claims the Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom as British Overseas Territories.

Argentina is a founding member of both the United Nations and the Union of South American Nations. Argentina is one of the G-20 major economies.

The news of the overthrow of the Spanish king Ferdinand VII during the Peninsular War generated great concern in the viceroyalty. The monarchic authority was replaced in Spain by the Junta of Seville, which would replace Liniers with Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros. However, when the Junta falled as well, the May Revolution took place in Buenos Aires, removing Cisneros from government, who was replaced by the Primera Junta. Two nations emerged in the former viceroyalty: the United Provinces of South America (1810) and the Liga Federal (1815). Other provinces delayed the formation of a unified state because of differences between autonomist and centralist parties; Paraguay seceded, declaring independence in 1811.

Between 1814 and 1817, General José de San Martín led a military campaign aimed at making independence a reality. San Martín and his regiment crossed the Andes in 1817 to defeat royalist forces in Chile and Perú, thus securing independence. The Congress of Tucumán gathered on 9 July 1816 and finally issued a formal Declaration of Independence from Spain.

LINKS:

Argentinian national anthen (with subtitles): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTAf27OkuYE

Facebook photos (Bicentenary civic and military fest): http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2064927&id=1248763245&l=1531b6d56e

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NORTH

CERRO DE LOS 7 COLORES (JUJUY)

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PATAGONIA

CALAFATE (SANTA CRUZ)

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LITORAL

CATARATAS DEL IGUAZU (MISIONES)

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CUYO

ACONCAGUA (MENDOZA)

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EAST

9 DE JULIO and OBELISCO (BUENOS AIRES)

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CENTER

CATEDRAL DE CÓRDOBA (CÓRDOBA)

USA

UNITED STATES!

Is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to the east and Russia to the west across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The country also possesses several territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.

At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km2) and with over 309 million people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area, and the third largest both by land area and population. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries.

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BALTIMORE
Is an independent city and the largest city and cultural center of the U.S. state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore City in order to distinguish it from surrounding Baltimore County. Founded in 1729, Baltimore is a major U.S. seaport and is situated closer to major Midwestern markets than any other major seaport on the East Coast. Baltimore's Inner Harbor was once the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the United States and a major manufacturing center.

THE #1: JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL (By Katie)

Is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It was founded in 1889, after the death of banker Johns Hopkins, who left 7 million dollars to create a hospital and university which now bear his name. This hospital is the founding institution of modern American medicine and the birthplace of many medical specialties including neurosurgery, urology, endocrinology, pediatrics, cardiac surgery, and child psychiatry. It is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest hospitals.

Katie

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CZECH REPUBLIC

CZECH REPUBLIC!

Is a country in Central Europe. The country borders Poland to the northeast, Germany to the west and northwest, Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east. The Czech Republic has been a member of NATO since 1999 and of the European Union since 2004.

The Czech state or Bohemia (Lands of the Bohemian Crown) as it was known until 1918 was formed in the late 9th century. The country reached its greatest territorial extent during the 13th and 14th century under the rule of the Přemyslid and Luxembourg dynasties. Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the Kingdom of Bohemia was integrated into the Habsburg monarchy as one of its three principal parts alongside Austria and Hungary. The independent Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918, following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire after World War I.

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MY LOVELY LOUNY (By Lucie Popová)

Louny is smaller town in the Czech Republic. It has got about 20 000 inhabitants. Louny is only 60km far from our capital – Prague. The city was founded in 12th century, The original name was Luna (= moon) and it is situated on the River Ohře.The most important architectural sight is the Late Gothic St. Nicholas Church. It was build in 1517, its tower is 60meters high.Another amazing symbol of Louny is Žatec gate which dates from 1500 but was reconstructed in 1872.


Louny jsou krásné město v České republice - v srdci Evropy. (Louny is beautiful town in the Czech Republic - in the heart of Europe)

Miluji toto historické město (I love this historical town)

Lucie

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POLAND

POLAND!

"Officially the Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska), is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north. The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometres (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Poland has a population of over 38 million people, which makes it the 34th most populous country in the world and one of the most populous members of the European Union".

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My first country... my first postcard! Thanks Lena!!

SZCZECIN
Is the capital city of West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of the 2005 census the city had a total population of 420,638. In June 2009 its population was 406,427. Stettin is located on the Oder River, south of the Lagoon of Szczecin and the Bay of Pomerania. The city is situated along the southwestern shore of Dąbie Lake, on both sides of Oder and on several large islands between western and eastern branch of the river.

The postcard shows The Chrobry Embankment, one of the trademark's city, the most representative part of Szczecin. It comprises terraces, beautifully surrounded by trees, going down to the Odra River. A walk along the Embankment is one of city’s main attractions. Here you can have a rest on a bench or in one of the restaurants. Or you can take the stairs down to walk along the river.

The Chrobry Embankment is a popular meeting point for the residents of Szczecin, especially in summer. During season various events are organised here, such as concerts of the celebration of the Sea Days.

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THE NIGHT IN SZCZECIN (By Lena Mo)

Szczecin is a big city with many interesting places you can visit. There are many students so the most popular places are pubs (London Pub, Brama Jazz Cafe, Porto Grande Pub...) or night clubs (City Hall, Rocker's Club, Baila Club...). You can drink there vodka (Finlandia, Sobieski), beer (Lech, Zywiec) or drinks. People are friendly & talkative - especially after drinking :) When you're tired with drinking and dancing you can go for a walk to Park Kasprowicza (the biggest park in Szczecin), to the Old Town or along the Odra river. But I don't recommend going for a walk in winter's nights, it can be very very cold.

Some phrases:

• Czesc - hi

• Bardzo podoba mi sie to miejsce - I like this place very much

• Wiecej piwa/wodki! - More beer/vodka!

• Jestem pijany - I'm drunk

• Lubie placki - I like pancakes :P

• Zdrowie! - cheers!

• Chodzmy poplywac w Odrze - Let's swim in the Oder river

• Kocham Was wszystkich - I love you all

Hope you'll find it usefull :)

Cheers!

Lena

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POSTCROSSING

"Send a postcard and receive a postcard back from a random person somewhere in the world!”

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The countdown...

Possible or impossible??? I want a postcard from everywhere... one for each country!!