Pigeon Racing

Pigeon racing is a popular hobby and competitive sport in which specially bred homing pigeons fly back to their home loft from a distant release site as quickly as possible. 

The winner is the pigeon with the highest average speed (calculated as distance divided by flight time).

Origin: The sport originated in the early 19th century in Belgium (its birthplace in Liège and the surrounding area) and quickly spread to the Netherlands and other countries. 

How it works: Pigeon fanciers train and breed pigeons. 

For races, the pigeons are basketed, transported to a release site (often hundreds of kilometers away), and released simultaneously. 

Upon their return, their time is recorded electronically. 

Distances: From short flights (100 km) to marathon races (1000+ km). 

Popularity: Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Once incredibly popular (over 50,000 fanciers in the Netherlands in the 1960s), there are now approximately 22,000 active pigeon fanciers, with an aging population but also international growth (including in Asia). 

Excitement: It's all about orientation, training, care, and a bit of luck with the weather and birds of prey.

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Formosa

Formosa is a province in northeastern Argentina, located in the Gran Chaco region. 

The capital is the city of Formosa, situated on the Paraguay River (opposite Paraguay). 

The province borders Paraguay (north and east), Salta (west), and the Chaco (south). 

The landscape consists of forests, savannas, swamps, and jungles, with a high level of biodiversity (including Río Pilcomayo National Park). 

The economy revolves primarily around livestock, cotton, and fruit growing. 

The name "Formosa" comes from the old Spanish word for "beautiful," referring to a bend in the river.

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Children's Stamp Campaign

The Children's Stamp Campaign has been an annual Dutch tradition since 1924 (with a break during WWII), recognized as intangible cultural heritage. 

Primary school children in grades 7 and 8 sell children's stamps (with a surcharge for charities), postcards, and other products door-to-door or online via QR codes. 

More than 100,000 children participate annually, under the motto "for children, by children." 

The proceeds go to the Children's Stamp Campaign, which supports projects for vulnerable children in the Netherlands and abroad, focusing on equal opportunities, poverty, loneliness, and resilience (e.g., safe spaces, sports, or a buddy).

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Jujuy

Jujuy is a province in the far northwest of Argentina, bordering Bolivia (north), Chile (west), and the province of Salta (east and south). 

The capital is San Salvador de Jujuy. 

Nature: Known for spectacular landscapes such as the Quebrada de Humahuaca (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Seven-Colored Mountain in Purmamarca), the immense salt flats of Salinas Grandes, and the Serranía de Hornocal (Mountain of 14 Colors). 

Culture: Strong indigenous influences (including Quechua and Aymara), colonial history, and vibrant traditions such as carnival and the worship of Pachamama (Mother Earth). 

Tourism: A popular destination for nature lovers, with villages like Purmamarca, Tilcara, and Humahuaca, hiking trails, archaeological sites (such as Pucará de Tilcara), and unique highlands (Puna). 

Economy: Sugarcane, mining (including lithium and salt), and growing tourism. 

It's a rugged, colorful, and culturally rich region, ideal for those seeking authentic Argentina off the beaten track.

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Cow Market in Woerden

The Cow Market is a centuries-old tradition in Woerden, dating back to 1410, originally a cattle market for cows and horses. 

Nowadays, it's a major public festival held on the first Wednesday after October 20th, featuring cow shows, a market with hundreds of stalls, a funfair, performances, and an international cyclocross race during the "Nacht van Woerden" the evening before. 

It attracts more than 20,000 visitors annually and marks the beginning of autumn, with traditions such as pea soup and a parade of cows and calves. 

The market is recognized as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Netherlands.

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La Pampa

La Pampa is a large province in central Argentina, known as the heart of the Argentine pampas (fertile plains). 

Capital: Santa Rosa. 

Population: approximately 350,000 inhabitants (very sparsely populated) 

Landscape: almost completely flat, vast grassland plains (pampas), ideal for cattle ranching and agriculture 

Economy: primarily beef production (Argentina is world-famous for its beef steak), grains (wheat, corn, soybeans), and sunflower oil 

Climate: temperate continental climate – hot summers, cold winters, low rainfall in the west (becoming drier towards Patagonia) 

Nickname: “El corazón de la pampa húmeda” (the heart of the humid pampas) 

It is one of the quietest and least touristy provinces in Argentina, yet crucial for Argentina's food production. 

Typical image: endless plains, estancias (large cattle ranches), gauchos, and horizons that make you dizzy.

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Abraham Day in Oosterhout

Abraham Day is an annual celebration in Oosterhout (North Brabant), organized by the Oosterhout Abraham Day Foundation. 

It celebrates the 50th anniversary of men born in the same year, regardless of nationality, religion, or background. 

The tradition began in 1963, initiated by Leo Wellens, and takes place on the first Saturday of October. Key activities: Reception and registration, opening ceremony in St. John's Basilica, visit to the town hall, a hearty lunch, afternoon activities, a buffet dinner, and a festive evening at Theater de Bussel with family and former participants. 

A statue of Abraham stands in the Castle Park as a symbol of the tradition. 

Since its inception, more than 20,000 men have participated; registration is limited and often fills up well in advance. 

The event also includes exchanges with Leuven, Belgium.

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Marine Mammals

Marine mammals are mammals that live entirely or mostly in the sea, but breathe air, are warm-blooded, give birth to live young, and nurse them. 

Brief summary of the main groups: 

Cetaceans (Cetacea) Whales, dolphins, and porpoises. 

Completely aquatic, lacking hind legs. 

Examples: blue whale (largest animal ever), orca, common dolphin, harbor porpoise. 

Manatees and Dugongs (Sirenia) Herbivorous, slow-moving marine mammals. 

Live in shallow coastal waters and rivers. 

Examples: Caribbean manatee, dugong (the "mermaid" of stories). 

Seals and Sea Lions (Pinnipedia) Half-aquatic, half-land (for resting and giving birth). 

Examples: harbor seal, gray seal, California sea lion, walrus. 

Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Smallest marine mammal. 

Lives in cold coastal waters (especially the North Pacific). 

Uses stones to open shells. 

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are sometimes also considered marine mammals. 

Live on sea ice and pack ice in the Arctic, hunt seals.

 

Characteristics of marine mammals: Breathe with lungs → must surface to breathe. 

Thick layer of blubber for insulation and energy. 

Streamlined body for swimming. 

Most species migrate over long distances. 

In the Netherlands, you mainly see: common seal, gray seal, and harbor porpoise (our only native cetacean).

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Adopting American War Graves in Margraten

The American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten (officially the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial) is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. 

It contains the graves of 8,301 American soldiers who died in World War II, primarily during the liberation of South Limburg and the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest and the Ardennes.

 

In addition, the Walls of the Missing bear the names of 1,722 missing soldiers. 

Shortly after the war, as early as 1945-1946, Limburg families spontaneously began laying flowers on the graves and "connecting" with a fallen soldier. 

This evolved into the official adoption program of the Margraten American Cemetery Adoption Foundation. 

How does adoption work today? 

Dutch (and sometimes Belgian or German) individuals, families, schools, businesses, or associations can adopt a grave or a name on the Walls of the Missing. 

For years, there has been a waiting list of thousands of people; every grave has been adopted at least once, many even multiple times. 

Adopters regularly bring flowers, research "their" soldier, visit the cemetery on Memorial Day and July 4th, and keep the story alive. 

The foundation coordinates everything and organizes the annual Dutch Remembrance Day ceremony (on the Sunday before Memorial Day) and the American ceremony. 

The adoption program is unique in the world and is considered one of the finest examples of the enduring gratitude of the Dutch for the American liberators. 

More than 80 years after the war, people still queue up to care for a grave.

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Air pressure

Air pressure is the force that air molecules exert on a surface due to their weight and movement. 

Normal value at sea level: 1013.25 hPa (hectopascal) = 1 atm = 760 mmHg. 

It decreases with increasing altitude (approximately 1 hPa per 8–10 meters of rise near the ground). 

This is caused by the weight of the air above (gravity). 

Measure: with a barometer (mercury or aneroid barometer). 

Influence on weather: High pressure (H) → often fair, stable weather. 

Low pressure (L) → often cloudy, rain, wind Formula (approximate): P = P₀ × e^(-h/H) (P = pressure at altitude h, P₀ = pressure at sea level, H ≈ 8400 m) 

In short: the more air above you, the higher the pressure. 

That's why you feel your ears popping on an airplane or in the mountains.

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