Falling for New Stamped Postcards

The Niagara River, separating the United States from Canada, flows from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, plunging over a 182-foot precipice into a steep, canyon-like gorge. Niagara Falls is one the most famous natural wonders in the world and a traditional destination for honeymooners.

Goat Island, also known as Luna Island, divides the American portion of Niagara Falls in New York—the American Falls—from the Canadian portion in Ontario—Horseshoe Falls. Twenty percent of the world’s fresh-water supply flows over Niagara Falls. This torrential waterfall is also one of the world’s greatest generators of electric power.

This majestic stamp image of the roiling waters of Niagara Falls is one of 10 designs featured on the upcoming set of Scenic American Landscapes stamp cards. Scheduled for release on June 23, these beautiful postcards are the second set highlighting some of our nation’s more beautiful natural places.

America’s Landlocked Rain Forest: The Great Smoky Mountains

Encompassing approximately 800 square miles of mountainous terrain in both North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life. Scientists believe that the 12,000 identified species of wildlife account for only one-tenth of the organisms that flourish there. Also found in the park are structures that represent the Southern Appalachian Mountain culture of the settlers who once lived in the area.

The mists that enshroud the Great Smoky Mountains are the result of evaporation and incredible downpours that qualify the park’s highest peaks as rain forests. Those who follow the park’s hundreds of miles of hiking trails find that in the Great Smoky Mountains, nearly every stream or river leads to a waterfall. Established by Congress in 1934 and dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, the park receives some 10 million visitors annually.

To celebrate National Park Week, we’re holding a daily contest here on the blog centered around our love of national parks. Each day’s single winner will receive a set of the Scenic American Landscapes stamped cards, which showcase photographs from parks across the country.

To enter the contest for today, simply answer the following question:

How many acres does the largest national park measure?

Submit your answer to uspsstamps [at] gmail [dot] com and remember, spelling counts! The winner will be selected at random and notified by email. Deadline for entries is 12 p.m. EST on Sunday, April 29. Good luck!