2018 First-Class Forever Stamp,Great Smokey Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

U.S. #5298d

2018 50¢ O Beautiful – Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina

Value:  50¢ 1-ounce First-Class Letter Rate (Forever)

Issue Date:  July 4, 2018

First Day City:  Colorado Springs, Colorado

Type of Stamp:  Commemorative

Printed by:  Ashton Potter

Printing Method:  Offset

Format:  Pane of 20

Self-Adhesive

Quantity Printed:  60,000,000

The United States is home to many ancient and beautiful mountains.  Some of the oldest – formed 200 to 300 million years ago – are the Great Smoky Mountains.  Established in 1934, Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives over 11 million visitors every year – more than any other national park today.

The Great Smoky Mountains stretch from Tennessee to North Carolina and are known for the clouds of mist often surrounding them.  These “smoky” clouds are created by the area’s huge number of trees and plants.  As they grow, they give off oxygen and water vapor, creating the perfect environment for mist.  There are thousands of plant and hundreds of animal species native to the Smoky Mountains, making it one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth.  Because of this, it was established as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1983.

The Great Smoky Mountains feature the tallest peaks in the Appalachians.  They are one of the most beautiful travel destinations in America.  Visitors can explore acres of hardwood forests filled with wildlife ranging from black bears and bobcats to elk and white-tailed deer.  Every season brings something new to the mountains and keeps visitors coming back year after year.