COLOMBIA

COLOMBIA.

Galeras volcano (Volcán Galeras).
Airmail. First stamp in a set of 15, issued on 15.01.1954.
Face value: 5 cent of Colombian peso.
Design: Leslie Downey (1915-2001).
Printed: Recess.
Print: 5,000,000 copies.
Size: 30 x 35 mm.

Catalogs
- Leo Temprano No. 767.
- Michel No. 670.
- StampWorld No. 653.
- Stanley Gubbons No. 788.
- Yvert et Tellier No. PA238.

The Galeras volcano is located in southern Colombia, in the Cordillera Central (one of the branches of the Andes), 9 km (5.6 mi) from the city of San Juan de Pasto, capital of the department of Nariño. Its altitude is 4,276 m (14,029 ft). It is the most active volcano in Colombia, with news of major eruptions since the 16th century. The first recorded historical eruption dates from December 7, 1580. Since then records of its activity have been kept, which increased in the second half of the 1990s.

The Quillasingo indigenous people gave it the name Urcunina or Urqunina, which means "mountain of fire." The name "Galeras" was given by the Spanish conquerors who arrived in the region at the beginning of the 16th century, since the silhouette of the summit seemed similar to the galleys of ships propelled by the force of the oars.

-
Thanks to María Luisa Romero for his contribution.