New UN stamps commemorate International Year of Mountains

Marking the 2002 commemoration of the International Year of Mountains, the United Nations Postal Administration today issued 12 stamps featuring famous peaks around the world.

The stamps depict photographs of mountains in Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania, the United States, Chile, Switzerland, Japan, Antarctica, India, New Zealand, Canada, Pakistan and Nepal.

The images were shot by Yoshikazu Shirakawa, a national of Japan who has worked as a freelance photographer for three decades. Among his many activities - which have taken him to 139 countries - Mr. Shirakawa has photographed the Alps and the Himalayas on more than 20 expeditions.

The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2002 the International Year of Mountains to increase awareness of the global importance of mountain ecosystems, which are the source of valuable resources as well as centres of culture and recreation.