The Chernobyl accident occurred on April 26, 1986 was the most severe technological disaster for Belarus by its consequences. Experts estimated that the most radioactive precipitation had fallen in Belarus. As a result 23 percent of its territory inhabited by about a quarter of the population was exposed to radioactive contamination. For comparison: in Russia - 1,5%, in Ukraine - 7%.
The sheetlet features a fan in Beringen, the market of Heusden-Zolder and a boring tower of Waterschei.
The stamps illustrate:
Miners' houses (Beringen)
Coal
Station + tower where the first piece of coal was found (As)
Landscape with a heap (Zolder)
Heap (Eisden)
The series was created by the designers Bart Van Leuven and Inge Van Damme.
The first stamp features Pingfu Tie calligraphy by Lu Ji (Jin Dynasty), the second one illustrates Chuyue Tie calligraphy by Wang Xizhi (Jin Dynasty), the third stamp features Gushi Si Tie calligraphy by Zhangxu (Tang Dynasty) and the last one demonstrates Zixu Tie calligraphy by Huaisu (Tang Dynasty).
There are two stamps featuring an image of the couple taken after their engagement was announced, one a domestic rate (60c) and the other the international rate to the United Kingdom ($2.25).
"We trust this special stamp issue provides collectors and the public with a memento to mark this historic and happy event. The Royal Wedding stamps follow the recent stamp issue commemorating the 85th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II," said Australia Post Managing Director and CEO, Ahmed Fahour.
The stamps were designed by Jo Mure from the Australia Post design studio. Included among Jo's recent stamp designs are Australia's Favourite Stamps (2009) and the Centenary of Girl Guides (2010).
Overall, Israel's butterfly population may be categorized into seven families. Five of those families are represented among the butterflies featured in the stamp series:
Swallowtail - Papilio machaon syriacus represents the Papilionidae family. Many members of this family display prominent colors, including black, yellow and red. These colors serve to warn birds and lizards that they are poisonous.
Red admiral - Vanessa atalanta represents the Nymphalidae family. Like many of the species belonging to this family, this butterfly remains camouflaged as long as its wings are closed because its underwings are dull in color, revealing its bold colors only when its wings are open wide.
Caper white - Anaphaeis aurota represents the Pieridae family of white and yellow butterflies. This butterfly's white wings are decorated with black markings. This species migrates to Israel from Africa nearly every summer and it may be seen flying throughout Israel until early winter.
Plain tiger - Danaus chrysippus is the only representative of the Danainae family to be found in Israel. It migrates annually from Africa to Israel and belongs to the same scientific genus as the American Monarch butterfly, considered to be the most famous butterfly in the world thanks to the tremendous distances it migrates.
Common blue - Polyommatus icarus zelleri and Tawny silver-line - Apharitis acamas represent the largest family of butterflies in Israel – the Lycaenidae family. Like many of the males belonging to this family, the Common blue male is bright blue in color in order to attract females, while the coloring of the Tawny silver-line allows it to blend into its surroundings and remain camouflaged from its enemies.
