EUROPA 2001 - Rivers - Cyprus 3.5.2001

This FDC sports two stamps in the EUROPA series for 2001 with Rivers as its theme. The rivers depicted on these stams are The Akaki, a river of central Ethiopia. It is a tributary of the Awash River on the right side. Two smaller rivers join the Akaki at the Aba-Samuel reservoir. These two rivers are the Little Akaki and the Great Akaki; the former is on the western side of the Akaki and the latter on the east.

The city of Addis Ababa has made the Akaki its waste disposal site. This puts the rural population living in the fringes of the city at risk since the Akaki is a source of drinking water for them. The Akaki is vital for numerous bird species. The Akaki–Aba-Samuel wetlands have been identified by the Birdlife International as a crucial staging ground for winter migratory bird species. The wetlands have been known to support as many as 20,000 water birds.

The second stamp depicts The Diarizos River. The 4th river in terms of length in Cyprus is Diarizos. From its two sources (where its name comes from), until its mouth, it covers a distance of 42 kilometres.

Its sources are found on the southeastern slopes of Kykkos, one next to the Milikouri village, and one on the slopes of Lemithou. These sources never stop giving their water, thus filling the riverbed all year round.

Diarizos has formed a huge valley. It is called the valley of Diarizos. It begins from the Venetian bride of “Tzielefou” and ends up at the beaches of Paphos. The valley, at its most is cultivable and planted with citrus trees.

Humans lived in this valley from ancient years and today there are 14 villages in total.

From its sources until the Venetian bride of Tzielefos, there is a narrow gorge with a width of 11 kilometres and dense plantation. The pine trees are probably the highest that exist in Cyprus. The sun hardly passes from the dense leafage of the trees. One road, a dirt road follows the river’s route during the whole journey.

A controlled and equipped picnic area offers its visitors the opportunity to prepare food. A little further, towards the river’s source, you will find the waterfall of Chantarra.

Thank you Merja.