UNESCO World Heritage: Historical Monuments of the United States. Meet these UNESCO World Heritage sites (photo) The most interesting UNESCO sites in the world

Planet Earth is a bottomless treasury that has endowed man with countless riches and made it possible to take advantage of its benefits to create comfortable living conditions. Therefore, the formation of society and its evolution have always occurred in interaction with nature. A clear confirmation of this are the cultural, historical and natural monuments included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Madain Salih Complex, Saudi Arabia

In the northern part of Saudi Arabia there is a unique complex of Madain Salih. It includes more than 100 burials dating from the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, amazing hydraulic structures that previously served the inhabitants of Hegra, an ancient city that became a center of caravan trade.

More than 50 inscriptions were discovered on the rocks of the complex, the appearance of which dates back to the pre-Nabatean period. In 2008, the amazing Madain Salih complex was added to the UNESCO treasury.

Longmen Grottoes, China

“Dragon Gate” or Longmen Grottoes are located in one of the picturesque Chinese provinces, near the city of Luoyang. This amazing ensemble, consisting of beautiful temples and ancient caves, was the residence of the rulers of China, representing the Wei dynasty, until 494.

After the residence was moved to a new city, Buddhist monks settled among the caves and temples. Relief drawings and all kinds of sculptures decorating the stone ensemble are the work of artisans who lived in the vicinity of the grotto.

2,300 amazing caves, about 80 mausoleums, more than 100,000 Buddhist paintings, a huge statue of the majestic Buddha guarding the entrance to the Fengxianse Cave, more than 2,500 inscriptions decorating the rocks along the deep Yishui River - these precious monuments of ancient Chinese culture, making up a single complex, were brought in on the UNESCO heritage list.

Bayon Temple, Cambodia

Among the picturesque nature of Angor Thom, the amazing Bayon temple complex, erected in the 7th century AD in honor of Jayavarman, has been preserved. The ancient architectural structure includes three levels of stone buildings surrounded by three monumental walls.
The temple complex is decorated with huge stone faces and drawings depicting the life and everyday life of the Khmers.

In addition to the Bayon Temple, the Angkor region is home to over a thousand unique temples, representing different eras and levels of civilization. Every year, millions of curious tourists come here to see with their own eyes the unique monuments of ancient religious architecture.

Many of them have survived to this day in a dilapidated state, some have been restored, and some have remained a pile of stones silently resting among endless fields sown with rice.

Stonehand, UK

An oversized stone structure, Stonehand is located among the luxurious nature of Salisbury Plain, in the county of Wilshere in the UK. 150 stones placed in a certain sequence are of great interest to scientists and ordinary tourists who come here to look at the amazing human creation created in 3000 BC.

Under the influence of time and natural phenomena, the unique ancient monument began to collapse, so now it is protected with special care. If half a century ago tourists could even climb huge structures, then since 1977 you can only look at them. To touch the stones, you need a special permit, issued within a year on the basis of a personal request.

Stonehand was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Lonesome George, Ecuador

The only giant tortoise representing this species of mammal lives in the National Park located in Ecuador. The unique animal was found in 1927 on Pinta Island, located in the northern part of the archipelago, and was named after the famous actor George Gobel.

The world's most famous bachelor is in the prime of his life; according to scientists, he is now about 90 years old. It's time to have offspring. For George, a female has already been found that has genetic similarities to the “groom’s” ancestors, so there is every reason to believe that the line of giant tortoises will continue.

Summer Palace, China

Among the fabulously beautiful landscapes of the imperial garden in Beijing in 1750, the magnificent Summer Palace was built, which to this day preserves the memory of the royalty who lived within its walls.

In 1860, the unique architectural masterpiece was destroyed, and more than 20 years later it was restored.

In 1998, the Summer Palace was added to the list of UNSO World Treasures

Statue of Liberty, America

The symbol of the United States of America, the Statue of Liberty, is located in one of the largest metropolises in the country and the world - New York. This is a symbolic gift presented by the French in honor of the centenary of the American Revolution.

“Lady Liberty” personifies the triumph of democracy, freedom of spirit and is a kind of reminder of the difficult period of the Americans’ struggle for their rights.

In 1984, “Lady Liberty” was added to the list of UNESCO heritage sites.

Iguazu National Park, Argentina

In the picturesque province of Misiones, there is a majestic monument of Argentine nature - Iguazu National Park, which in 1984 was recognized as a unique UNESCO heritage.

In addition to the diversity of bird species and the luxury of beautiful exotic vegetation, the park is notable for the incredible number of waterfalls concentrated near the Iguazu River. The number of cascading streams (from 150 to 250 waterfalls) depends on the water level in the river from which they originate.

The territory of the park is an oasis in the center of civilization, which has preserved a huge number of endangered representatives of flora and fauna. A paradise on earth, filled with the strange aromas of flowers, the crystal sound of water and the cheerful singing of colorful birds, annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world, eager to see with their own eyes the riches of the Argentine region.

Kinderdijk, Netherlands

On the picturesque banks of the canals located near Rotterdam, rows of huge windmills built several decades ago rise majestically.

More than a thousand historical structures, named Kinderdijk, after the village in which they are located, have replenished UNESCO's bottomless treasury.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

The decoration of the relief landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park, located in the picturesque province of Santa Cruz, is a huge glacier with the sweet name Perito Moreno. In size it is second only to the glaciers of Antarctica and Greenland.

An amazing masterpiece created by nature became not only a decoration of Argentine Patagonia, it joined the UNESCO world treasury. A talented creator gave the glacier an amazing architectural form, parts of which are modified under the influence of water flows.

The fact is that from time to time the glacier reaches Lake Argentino and spills over to the opposite shore, thereby forming a massive dam and dividing the water surface into two parts. This leads to a significant increase in water levels in the southern part of the lake.

Cubic meters of icy liquid press on the walls of the glacier, breaking the binding barrier. Such an action is a fascinating spectacle and occurs sometimes once a year, and sometimes once every ten years.

Bahai Terraced Gardens, Israel

In the north of Israel is the picturesque town of Haifa, whose territory is surrounded by unique terraced gardens created many years ago.

The beautiful Tomb of Bob, the founder of the popular Bahai religious movement, is buried in the luxury of amazing vegetation.

The majestic symbol of the interaction between nature and man was included in the UNESCO list of unique heritage in 2008.

Vatican

The Vatican, a tiny state located on the territory of Rome, is the world center of Christianity. Here is the papal throne and many unique architectural monuments, the main of which is the majestic St. Peter's Square, built in 1667 according to the design of the architect Bernini.

Two monumental symmetrical hemispheres connect near St. Peter's Basilica, forming a large-scale square where believers gather to hear and see the pontiff.

Residents of the small state carefully preserve the historical and cultural heritage of previous generations, part of which is the unique architecture of the country, and valuable works of art preserved behind the walls of the holy basilica.

In 1984, the Vatican was included in the UNESCO lists.

Petra, Israel

The ancient city of Petra is located in the Siq canyon leading to the Arava valley. Residential areas carved out of sandstones rise at an altitude of about 900 meters above sea level and are small caves connected by narrow paths.

Here, on the territory of modern Jordan, where Petra is located, ancient crypts and amazing temples built many centuries ago have been preserved.

The amazing city of Petra is rightfully included in the UNESCO heritage list; in addition, since 2007 it has been called another “wonder of the world”.

Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique system consisting of 3,000 individually located coral reefs and more than 900 picturesque islands. It lies in the waters of the Coral Sea and annually attracts millions of divers eager to see the amazing masterpiece created by tiny microorganisms.

Over 2,500 kilometers of fabulous flora and amazing underwater fauna, this is the largest coral reef on the planet, visible even from space.

In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was added to the UNESCO treasury, and earlier it was awarded the status of a “wonder of the world.”

Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus

Belovezhskaya Pushcha is one of the most famous nature reserves in Europe and the largest national park in Belarus. In 1993, it received the status of a biosphere reserve, and a year earlier it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The picturesque nature conservation site is located on the territory of the Brest and Grodno regions; the Polish-Belarusian border passes through it.
The picturesque landscapes of this amazing area provide excellent conditions for the habitat of many species of animals, including those listed in the Red Book of Belarus.

In the dense thickets of relict forests that once covered the entire territory of Europe, you can meet their powerful owner - the bison, which tourists from different parts of the world come to see.

Rock paintings in Alta, Norway

Another UNESCO cultural and historical heritage is rock paintings discovered in the north of Norway, in the city of Alta. Thanks to this find, it became known about the settlements of ancient people who traded here during the Iron and Stone Ages. Rock art reflects the way of life of the people living in coastal areas and on the mainland, their beliefs, traditions and rituals.

More than 5,000 unique images date back to 4200 - 500 BC and prove that the northern parts of the Earth were previously inhabited.

People first started talking about amazing drawings in 1960, when the first petroglyphs were found. During further excavations, one of the largest archaeological sites of Jemmelüft was discovered, on the territory of which the Alta Museum was founded, open to tourists.

Urnes Stave Church, Norway

Among the majesty of the silent mountains, on the picturesque Sognefjord, the outline of the stave church Urnes, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, looms. An amazing masterpiece of wooden architecture was built three times in the same place. A church built in 1150 for one of the revered and very influential families has survived to this day.

The craftsmen who worked on the construction of the temple were able to convey the splendor of the architecture of that time and restore the decorative details present on the previously destroyed church.

The durable wood, prepared for the construction of the temple in 1130, was able to withstand the influence of time and the elements. Therefore, the unique Urnes Church still delights everyone who has been lucky enough to visit the royal Sognefjord at least once.

Struve arc

A unique geodetic structure called the Struve Arc is a network with reference points marked on the ground using stone cubes, iron crosses, and depressions made in the rocks.

The Struve arc was used to establish the size of the Earth and determine its shape. Over the 40 years of its existence, the amazing geodetic structure has undergone changes, and today it passes through the territory of Belarus, Norway, Lithuania, Moldova, Latvia, Ukraine, Finland, Russia, and Sweden. The total length of the network on which triangulation points are located is 2820 kilometers.

34 strongholds of the Arc, named after one of its creators, Vasily Yakovlevich Struve, are now included in the UNESCO world treasury.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine

The Kiev Pechersk Lavra is a great Christian shrine located on the right bank of the mighty Dnieper. Founded in the 9th century, the monastery has undergone many changes throughout its existence. Today, this unique monument of ancient architecture reverently delights both true believers and ordinary tourists who come from all over the world to admire the golden-domed temple.

The Pechersk Lavra received its name due to the caves located on its territory, in which the first hermit monks lived.

From the day of its foundation, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra became the spiritual and cultural stronghold of Kievan Rus, and its fame resounded far beyond the borders of the state.

Basilica of the Nativity and pilgrim paths, Palestine

A few kilometers from Jerusalem is the Church of the Nativity of Christ, built in 339 AD. The location for the founding of the basilica was not chosen by chance; it is believed that this is where Jesus Christ was born.

In the 6th century AD, the Church survived a fire, after which it was restored. Only mosaic floors remain from the original structure.

In 2012, the Basilica of the Nativity, along with pilgrimage paths, bell towers, and magnificent terraced gardens, was included in the list of UNESCO heritage sites.

Kakadu National Park, Australia

Kakadu National Park is a unique combination of lush plains and picturesque plateaus, marshy areas covered with emerald thickets of exotic plants, and rivers cutting through the park's life-filled expanses.

In the park you can see hundreds of rare plant species and endangered animals. An amazing natural complex is located in the north of Australia, where tribes of ancient settlers lived 40 thousand years ago. This is evidenced by rock paintings found during archaeological excavations. The drawings reflect the way of life of a prehistoric society, whose members hunted and gathered.

Today, Kakadu Park is an archaeological and natural reserve, listed as a UNESCO site in 1981.

Rain forests of the east coast of Australia

In eastern Australia, along the vertiginous cliffs of the Great Dividing Range, lie the mysterious rain forests, which in 1994 became one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This unique zone, which includes several luxurious parks and amazing reserves, is of enormous importance for modern science. After all, its territory contains geologically important objects, such as the craters of extinct volcanoes, and dense thickets of rain forests are home to endemic species representing the local fauna.

Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia

450 kilometers of tropical rainforests lie along the north-eastern coast of Australia. Dense, often impassable, thickets have become a habitat for funny marsupials, exotic songbirds and rare representatives of the richest Australian flora and equally diverse fauna.

In 1988, tropical rainforests joined the treasury of the world organization UNESCO.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island, which is more than 120 kilometers long, is the largest sand island on the planet. Its relief surface is covered with damp tall forests, and the golden curves of the dunes are cut by blue-eyed “hanging” lakes filled with fresh water.

In 1992, this amazing natural complex was included in the UNESCO treasury.

Shark Bay, Western Australia

Shark Bay and its surrounding islands are a fabulously beautiful place, famous for the phenomenal gifts presented by nature itself. Firstly, over 10 thousand dugongs live in the waters washing the coast (the largest population of these animals in the world).

Secondly, in coastal waters you can see huge plantations of algae, covering more than 480 thousand kilometers of the seabed.

Thirdly, the surroundings of the bay are decorated with rounded calcareous formations - stromatolites. They owe their appearance to colonies of algae that actively live under water.

Fourthly, several species of rare mammals live in the bay. Together, all factors stopped the bay from becoming a natural treasure, which in 1991 was added to the UNESCO lists.

Macquarie Island

In the endless subantarctic waters, between the two continents of Antarctica and Australia, the tiny Macquarie Island is lost. A picturesque piece of land with a length of only 34 kilometers appeared after the collision of the Pacific lithospheric plate with the Indo-Australian plate.

As a result of a strong collision, unique basalt rocks stored at a depth of over 6 kilometers in the Earth's mantle were deposited onto the relief surface of the papaya. In 1997, Macquarie Island joined UNESCO's richest treasury.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

A snow-white structure rises above the azure waters of Sydney Bay, reminiscent of a sailboat filled with winds, ready to set sail - this is the Sydney Opera House. The “shells” located on a solid foundation house a magnificently decorated hall and a wonderful restaurant.

Erected in 1973, the building took its place among UNESCO sites (in 2007) and became the most grandiose architectural structure of our time.

The talented architect Jorn Utson worked on the implementation of this amazing project. Changing the traditions of urban planning developed over the years, he created a unique sculptural masterpiece that harmoniously complements the picturesque landscapes of the Pacific coast.

Convict settlements, Australia

Of the thousands of camps created by the British Empire in Austria (18th-19th centuries), eleven, located on the islet of Norfolk, Tasmania, around Sydney, were included in the lists of UNESCO sites in 2010.

The prisons were designed to house hundreds of thousands of those convicted by British justice. These were men, women, and even children.
Each correctional institution had its own specifics of work and methods of re-educating criminals.

This unique object is valuable as a reminder of the largest expansion of European states, realized through the deportation and placement of convicted criminals in colonies.

Leon Cathedral, Nicaragua

The Lena Cathedral, erected at the beginning of the 19th century, personifies the transitional period in architecture, when the Baroque traditions were replaced by more progressive neoclassical trends at that time. In the design of the exterior and interior, features of eclecticism are clearly visible, with the refined luxury characteristic of the style and an abundance of decorative details, harmoniously combined into a single ensemble.

Magnificent stained glass windows, rich ornaments, the use of works of art (paintings by Antonio Sarria, which depict the difficult path to Calvary) - all this gives the cathedral a special flavor that conveys the atmosphere of a difficult era.

The monumental structure of the temple was created according to a design developed by the Guatemalan architect Diego José de Porres Esquivel.

Since 2011, León Cathedral has been part of the UNESCO treasury.

Mozambique island city

The colorful town of Mozambique, founded in the 16th century, is located on the territory of the island of the same name, which once played an important role in the development of trade relations between Portugal and India.

The tiny town, surrounded by an endless expanse of emerald water, framed by the edge of a magnificent sandy shore, is surrounded by the luxury of exotic plants, many of which are of particular value to science.

But not only the picturesque landscapes of the island are noteworthy; local architecture is of particular interest to tourists and researchers. The buildings, maintained in the same style, were built from makuti stone and decorated taking into account the building traditions established in the 16th century.
In 1991, the amazing island city of Mazambique was added to the list of UNESCO sites.

Pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan

Teotihucan, a sacred city (previously considered the birthplace of the gods), was founded in the 1st century AD, and was completed only at the end of the 7th century. Its location (50 kilometers from Mexico City) and its high level of cultural development have made it one of the most influential cities in Central America.

The remarkable architecture of Teotihucan, especially the large-scale monuments, temples and unique pyramids of the Moon and the Sun, designed using the principles of geometry.

Since 1987, the pre-Hispanic city of Teotihucan has been a UNESCO treasure.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

The eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is decorated with a picturesque biosphere reserve with the symbolic name Sian Ka'an. This is an amazing natural complex created from tropical forests, mangroves, impenetrable swamps and coral reefs, which have become home to the inhabitants of the nearby water area.

The local flora is amazing and diverse, and the fauna of the reserve is no less rich. More than 300 species of exotic birds enliven the dense forests with their singing, and hydrogeological conditions contribute to the predominance of terrestrial vertebrates, typical for such a region.

The picturesque Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve was added to the UNESCO treasury in 1987.

Historic city of Meknes, Morocco

Founded in the 9th century AD, the military settlement blossomed over time and became the picturesque town of Maknes. Under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail, Maknes became the capital of the Moroccan state, and the architecture of the city acquired a distinctly Spanish-Moorish flavor.

Majestic towers, powerful walls, huge gates have survived to this day, carefully preserving the memory of the past centuries of prosperity of Meknes.
Since 1996, the historical city has been included in the list of UNESCO monuments.

Bikini Atoll

Until 1946, Bikini Atoll could easily be called heaven on earth. Beautiful nature, good-natured people, crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. But the beginning of the Cold War put an end to the happy existence of local residents. In 1946, they were resettled from their home island, and the picturesque landscapes and waters became a test site for American nuclear weapons.

Over 12 years, over 60 nuclear explosions occurred on the atoll; the first hydrogen bomb was tested here, thereby causing irreparable damage to the geology and nature of the island. The level of radiation in this place is such that nothing living can withstand such radiation.

The ships that sank during the tests, as well as the huge crater left after the explosion of a nuclear bomb, became silent witnesses to the unfortunate events.

Bikini Atoll, as a terrifying symbol of the nuclear age, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

Lake Malawi National Park

The southern side of the picturesque Lake Malawi has turned into a unique national park, the waters of which are home to many interesting representatives of underwater fauna.

The deep-sea lake with the purest water is home to dozens of species of endemic fish, and its ichthyofauna is of great interest to scientists studying evolutionary processes on Earth.

The unique lake was added to the UNESCO treasury in 1984.

Ancient quarters and fortifications of the city of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a fortified city that at different periods was part of the Roman Empire, Prussia, Spain, and France. Passing from one state to another, the city became more and more fortified, eventually turning into the most protected fortress in Europe.

This was the case until 1867, after which the fortification was destroyed. Today, the dilapidated remains of the fortress and stone buildings remind us of the former power of military-era architecture.

The ancient city with its quarters and fortifications was included in the list of UNESCO sites in 1994.

Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit is a sandy peninsula with a length of 98 kilometers. The width of the unique strip in different areas ranges from 400 meters to 4 kilometers.

The picturesque landscapes of the peninsula have been actively developed by people since ancient times. Today there is a struggle to preserve a unique natural masterpiece exposed to wind and sea. To negate the negative impact of natural factors, work is underway to strengthen forest plantations and sand dunes.

In 2000, the Curonian Spit was added to the UNESCO heritage list.

Los Catios National Park, Colombia

Los Catios National Park is located on 72 thousand hectares of picturesque Colombian land, which was added to the UNESCO treasury in 1994.

The relief landscapes of the colorful land are covered with dense forests, wet plains, from time to time turning into low hills.
The territory of the park has become home to a huge number of amazing animals, including rare representatives of the local fauna.

Lake system in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya

The shallow lakes of the Great Rift Valley (Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria) are a unique nature reserve, home to an incredible diversity of birds, including over 12 endangered species. Birds can survive only if they are within the safe Great Rift Valley.

The emerald surface of the lakes is surrounded by luxurious landscapes, covered with emerald thickets of forests, which have become home to a huge number of animals (black rhinoceros, funny Rothschild giraffe, powerful lion, population of wild dogs and leopards).

The Rift Valley is a place where pelican chicks are born and colorful flocks of beautiful flamingos walk in the shallow waters. This mesmerizing spectacle annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists eager to see with their own eyes the amazing beauty of the Great Rift Valley and lake system, which was included in the list of UNESCO sites in 2011.

For a long time, people did not think about what they would leave to their descendants. Rulers were replaced, entire cultures were destroyed, not a trace remained of them. Later, people became smarter and preserved works of art, buildings of stunning beauty, interesting monuments, etc. Eventually, humanity came to the conclusion that the most valuable objects should be included in a special list. Today, tourists visiting certain countries are interested in World Heritage abroad. The UNESCO project has long been called more than successful.

World Heritage

At some point, people turned away from resource consumption and realized the need to protect natural flora and fauna. This desire is expressed in a special list, the idea of which was implemented in 1972 within the framework of the Convention "On the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage", which proclaimed universal responsibility for the safety of the most significant objects.

Today the list includes more than a thousand items, and all these monuments are located on the territory of 161 states. Among them there are picturesque corners of nature and amazing creations of human hands, but some objects may surprise those who do not know by what principles this list is compiled.

Criteria

World Heritage abroad and in Russia is not just buildings and natural monuments. Each object is unique in its own way and is included in the list indicating certain criteria. Conventionally, they are divided into two parts.

For artificial objects, such criteria as reflection of the relationship of human values, the development of architecture, uniqueness or exclusivity, and connection with ideas in the public domain are important. Of course, beauty and aesthetics are also taken into account. There are six key factors in total.

As for natural monuments, they must include phenomena or areas of exceptional aesthetic quality, represent an example of the main stages of history, geological or biological processes, or be important from the point of view of preserving the diversity of flora and fauna. Only four criteria are presented.

Those located abroad or in Russia, which can be attributed to approximately equal extent to both one and the other group, are called mixed, or having cultural and natural significance. So, what exactly is included in the UNESCO list?

Record-breaking countries

UNESCO World Heritage sites are distributed extremely unevenly around the world. The countries with the largest number of monuments are Italy, China, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, India, Great Britain, Russia and the USA. In total, there are more than 350 objects located on their territory, which is more than a third of the entire list. Almost all of these countries can be said to be heirs of great civilizations and to have natural resources. In any case, this beginning of the list is not at all surprising.

Man-made objects

There are 779 objects in this category as of 2014. This includes the most famous and significant buildings and structures in the world, many of which are symbols of their countries: Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Easter Island, Great Abu Mena in Egypt, Versailles, the Acropolis of Athens, the Taj Mahal, the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur in Indonesia, ancient Samarra, located on the modern territory of Iran, Petra in Jordan, Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan in Mexico, Cusco in Peru, Kizhi Pogost, church in Kolomenskoye, Stonehenge, Statue of Liberty, building It is often so difficult to single out one thing that it is so difficult to list the entire historical center of certain cities is included - this is especially often observed in Europe. All the most popular attractions among tourists certainly fall into this list. But sometimes, if some major changes have occurred, the property “leaves” the World Heritage Site. Two such cases are known abroad: the Elbe River valley near Dresden was excluded due to the construction of a highway; The white oryx reserve, a special type of antelope, in Oman was removed from the list due to a reduction in its territory and ineffective fight against poaching. The situation is likely to change over time, but even if not, every year a special committee considers new proposals for the inclusion of various sites abroad as World Heritage Sites.

Natural monuments

The most interesting and beautiful monuments in the category “World Heritage Abroad” - The creation of man, that is, buildings, structures, etc., are also interesting, but it is much more interesting to observe what was created without the help and intervention of people. The list of such monuments (as of 2014) includes 197 items. The facilities are located in 87 countries. 19 of them are endangered (for one reason or another). By the way, the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites begins precisely with the natural monument - the Galapagos Islands, which were awarded this honor in 1978. And, perhaps, this can be called quite fair, because many very rare animals and plants live here, the archipelago is also known for its stunning views. And, ultimately, nature remains the most valuable wealth of humanity.

Mixed category

Some man-made structures are so closely connected with the landscape and environment that it is difficult to clearly call them man-made. Or, on the contrary, man only slightly changed what appeared as a result of geological, biological and other natural processes. In any case, the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage, represented by objects from this category, is truly unique.

There are relatively few such objects - 31, but it is simply impossible to talk about each one briefly, they are so diverse and interesting in their own way. These include the national parks of Australia and New Zealand, Mount Athos, Machu Picchu, the Meteora monasteries, Tasmanian wildlife, the landscapes and life of Lapland and much more. It is a real miracle that all this wealth has reached our time in exactly this form, and the common task of humanity is to preserve this heritage for posterity.

Russia and CIS countries

On the territory of the former USSR there are a large number of monuments included in the UNESCO list. Some have been nominated as candidates. There are 52 objects in total, including one located on the territory of several states.

The list includes such names as the Moscow Kremlin, Samarkand, Chersonese Tauride, Bukhara, Lake Baikal, Lena Pillars, Putorana Plateau, Mount Sulaiman-Too, etc. Having carefully studied the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites located on the territory of the CIS countries, you can even decide never to travel abroad without exploring your native land - such diverse and interesting objects are presented in it. Well, then you can look at your neighbors and move across three seas - you’ll have something to compare with.

There are 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ukraine at the moment, and 15 more are under consideration. Of the CIS countries, this country ranks second in terms of the number of items included in the list we are considering. These include, for example, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and in Kyiv, the historical center of Lviv, and the beech forest of the Carpathians.

Status

It may seem that inclusion in a World Heritage Site abroad is simply a nice bonus, making it easier for tourists and travelers to choose where to go and what to see. But this is absolutely not true, because many objects are under threat of partial destruction or disappearance and need special treatment. Their inclusion in the UNESCO list allows us to further guarantee their safety. In addition, adding certain attractions to this list increases their prestige and popularity, which, in turn, attracts more tourists to the country. The development of this sector of the economy makes it possible to obtain more funds, which can be used to restore the very cultural monuments that are on the UNESCO list. So this project is useful in all respects.

Objects under threat

Unfortunately, everything is not so rosy. There is a special section of the list that lists those natural and cultural monuments that are at risk of critical changes or complete disappearance. The reasons may be different: various types of disasters and incidents, wars, negative effects of climate and time. Not all of this can be controlled, so humanity may soon lose some of the sites included in the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage. There are currently 46 items on this “alarming” list. None of them are included in the World Heritage Sites in Russia. Abroad, such situations, unfortunately, are not uncommon. But the committee is working in this direction.

The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Danger includes those that appeared a very long time ago - in the 3-5 millennium BC, so their importance is difficult to overestimate. And yet, numerous problems, construction and reconstruction plans, wars, floods, poaching, etc. do not yet allow us to say that these places are safe.

Committee activities

UNESCO is a huge organization dealing with a variety of issues, World Heritage Abroad is just one of them. And all issues related to this topic are decided by a special committee. It meets once a year to make decisions on objects applying for inclusion on the list. In addition, the committee initiates the creation of working groups that deal with the problems of individual objects. It also acts as a financial institution, allocating funds to the countries participating in the Convention upon their request. There are 21 members in total on the committee. Most of their terms expire in 2017.

Similar lists

Of course, cultural and natural monuments are extremely important and valuable, but humanity strives to preserve not only them. As opposed to material objects, lists have been created containing the most significant examples of creativity, fields of knowledge, etc. Since 2001, UNESCO has been keeping records of masterpieces of oral and intangible creativity. But you shouldn’t think that we are talking about literary works - this list is much wider and more diverse than it seems. This includes the culinary traditions of different countries of the world, the unique skills of individual peoples, characteristic chants and dances, even falconry!

Another project designed to preserve UNESCO World Heritage sites is called Memory of the World. And it really is something akin to a repository of various knowledge - after all, this list contains the most important documents of humanity of all times that have survived to this day. This includes films, photographs, sound recordings, paintings, manuscripts and archives of famous people.

UNESCO projects aimed at drawing attention to cultural monuments and phenomena of all kinds allow us not to forget that every person is capable of creating something great, worthy of remaining in history forever. They also help us sometimes to stop and think how much beauty has been created by our ancestors and nature, and how terrible it would be to lose it.

In our world there are many objects that are unique in their kind and constitute the world heritage of mankind.

World Heritage sites included in the UNESCO special list are of enormous interest to the entire population of the planet. Unique natural and cultural objects make it possible to preserve those unique corners of nature and man-made monuments that demonstrate the richness of nature and the capabilities of the human mind.

The list of this organization contains objects among which there are individual architectural structures and ensembles, for example - the Acropolis, cathedrals in Amiens and Chartres, historical city centers - Warsaw and St. Petersburg; and there are also entire cities - Brasilia, Venice along with the lagoon and others. There are also archaeological reserves - for example, Delphi; national parks - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Yellowstone (USA) and others. States on whose territory World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations to preserve them.

It is worth noting that UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places and objects on the planet, in different countries, that are selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in accordance with the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The Convention is designed to protect and preserve outstanding cultural and natural values that constitute the heritage of all mankind. The first three places in terms of the number of objects are occupied by Italy, Spain and China.

In this photo collection you will see places from different parts of our planet that are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tourists view the Buddhist sculptures of the Longmen Grottoes (Dragon Gate) near the city of Luoyang in the Chinese province of Henan. There are more than 2,300 caves in this place; 110,000 Buddhist images, more than 80 dagobas (Buddhist mausoleums) containing relics of Buddhas, as well as 2,800 inscriptions on rocks near the Yishui River, a kilometer long. Buddhism was first introduced to China in these places during the reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

The Bayon Temple in Cambodia is famous for its many giant stone faces. There are more than 1,000 temples in the Angkor region, which range from nondescript piles of brick and rubble scattered among rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, considered the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored. More than a million tourists visit them every year.

One of the parts of the archaeological site of Al-Hijr - also known as Madain Salih. This complex, located in the northern regions of Saudi Arabia, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 6, 2008. The complex includes 111 rock burials (1st century BC - 1st century AD), as well as a system of hydraulic structures dating back to the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra, which was the center of caravan trade. There are also about 50 rock inscriptions dating back to the Pre-Nabatean period.

The Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) waterfalls are located in the Iguazu National Park in the Argentine province of Misiones. Depending on the water level of the Iguazu River, the park has from 160 to 260 waterfalls, as well as over 2,000 plant species and 400 bird species Iguazu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984.

The mysterious Stonehenge is a stone megalithic structure consisting of 150 huge stones, located on Salisbury Plain in the English county of Wiltshire. This ancient monument is believed to have been built in 3000 BC. Stonehenge was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Tourists stroll at the Bafang Pavilion at the Summer Palace, the famous classical imperial garden in Beijing. The Summer Palace, built in 1750, was destroyed in 1860 and restored in 1886. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998.

Statue of Liberty at sunset in New York. "Lady Liberty", which was given to the United States by France, stands at the entrance to New York Harbor. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984.

"Solitario George" (Lonely George), the last living giant tortoise of this species, born on Pinta Island, lives in Galapagos National Park in Ecuador. She is now approximately 60-90 years old. The Galapagos Islands were originally included on the World Heritage List in 1978, but were listed as endangered in 2007.

People skate on the ice of the canals at the Kinderdijk Mills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Rotterdam. Kinderdijk has the largest collection of historic mills in the Netherlands and is one of the top attractions in South Holland. Decorating holidays taking place here with balloons gives a certain flavor to this place.

View of the Perito Moreno glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the southeast of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The site was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1981. The glacier is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the Argentine part of Patagonia and the 3rd largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland.

Terraced gardens in the northern Israeli city of Haifa surround the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, founder of the Baha'i faith. Here is the world administrative and spiritual center of the Baha'i religion, the number of professers of which worldwide is less than six million. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 8, 2008.

Aerial photograph of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. According to the World Heritage website, this small state is home to a unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces. The Vatican was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984.

Colorful underwater scenes of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This thriving ecosystem is home to the world's largest collection of coral reefs, including 400 species of coral and 1,500 species of fish. The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981.

Camels rest in the ancient city of Petra in front of Jordan's main monument, Al Khazneh or the treasury, believed to be the tomb of a Nabatean king carved from sandstone. This city, located between the Red and Dead Seas, is at the crossroads of Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Phenicia. Petra was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world, a symbol of Sydney and one of the main attractions of Australia. The Sydney Opera House was designated a World Heritage Site in 2007.

Rock art made by the San people in the Drakensberg Mountains, located in eastern South Africa. The San people lived in the Drakensberg region for thousands of years until they were destroyed in clashes with the Zulus and white settlers. They left behind incredible rock art in the Drakensberg Mountains, which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

General view of the city of Shibam, located in the east of Yemen in the Hadhramaut province. Shibam is famous for its incomparable architecture, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program. All the houses here are built of clay bricks; approximately 500 houses can be considered multi-story, as they have 5-11 floors. Often called "the world's oldest skyscraper city" or "Desert Manhattan", Shibam is also the oldest example of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction.

Gondolas along the shore of the Grand Canal in Venice. The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is visible in the background. Island Venice is a seaside resort, a center of international tourism of world importance, a venue for international film festivals, art and architectural exhibitions. Venice was included in the UNESCO World Heritage program in 1987.

Some of the 390 abandoned huge statues made of compressed volcanic ash (moai in Rapa Nui) at the foot of the Rano Raraku volcano on Easter Island, 3,700 km off the coast of Chile. Rapa Nui National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 1995.

Visitors walk along the Great Wall of China in the Simatai area, northeast of Beijing. This largest architectural monument was built as one of the four main strategic strongholds to defend against invading tribes from the north. The 8,851.8 km long Great Wall is one of the largest construction projects ever completed. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987.

Temple in Hampi, near the South Indian city of Hospet, north of Bangalore. Hampi is located in the middle of the ruins of Vijayanagara - the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi and its monuments were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, notes fresher.ru.

A Tibetan pilgrim turns prayer mills on the grounds of the Potala Palace in the Tibetan capital Lhasa. The Potala Palace is a royal palace and Buddhist temple complex that was the main residence of the Dalai Lama. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum actively visited by tourists, remaining a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and continuing to be used in Buddhist rituals. Due to its enormous cultural, religious, artistic and historical significance, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.

Inca citadel Machu Picchu in the Peruvian city of Cusco. Machu Picchu, especially after receiving UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, has become a center of mass tourism. The city is visited by 2,000 tourists per day; In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands that the number of tourists per day be reduced to 800.

Buddhist pagoda Kopon-daito on Mount Koya, Wakayama Province, Japan. Mount Koya, located east of Osaka, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. In 819, the first Buddhist monk Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school, a branch of Japanese Buddhism, settled here.

Tibetan women walk around the Bodhnath Stupa in Kathmandu, one of the most ancient and revered Buddhist shrines. On the edges of the tower crowning it are depicted “Buddha’s eyes” inlaid with ivory. Kathmandu Valley, about 1300 m high, is a mountain valley and historical region of Nepal. There are many Buddhist and Hindu temples here, from the Boudhanath stupa to tiny street altars in the walls of houses. Locals say that 10 million Gods live in the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979.

A bird flies over the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum-mosque located in the Indian city of Agra. It was built by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. The architectural marvel was also named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in 2007.

Situated in north-east Wales, the 18-kilometre Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a feat of Industrial Revolution-era civil engineering, completed in the early years of the 19th century. Still in use more than 200 years after its opening, it is one of the busiest sections of the UK canal network, handling around 15,000 boats a year. In 2009, the Pontkysilte Aqueduct was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a "landmark in the history of civil engineering during the Industrial Revolution". This aqueduct is one of the unusual monuments to plumbers and plumbing

A herd of elk grazes in the meadows of Yellowstone National Park. Mount Holmes, to the left, and Mount Dome are visible in the background. In Yellowstone National Park, which occupies almost 900 thousand hectares, there are more than 10 thousand geysers and thermal springs. The park was included in the World Heritage program in 1978.

Cubans drive an old car along the Malecon in Havana. UNESCO added Old Havana and its fortifications to the World Heritage List in 1982. Although Havana has expanded to a population of over 2 million, its old center retains an interesting mixture of Baroque and neoclassical monuments and homogeneous ensembles of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought iron gates and courtyards.

As of July 6, 2012, there are 962 sites on the World Heritage List (including 745 cultural, 188 natural and 29 mixed), located in 148 countries. Among the objects there are individual architectural structures and ensembles, for example - the Acropolis, cathedrals in Amiens and Chartres, historical city centers - Warsaw and St. Petersburg, the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square; and there are also entire cities - Brasilia, Venice along with the lagoon and others. There are also archaeological reserves - for example, Delphi; national parks - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Yellowstone (USA) and others. States on whose territory World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations to preserve them.

In this photo collection you will see 29 objects from different parts of our planet that are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tourists view the Buddhist sculptures of the Longmen Grottoes (Dragon Gate) near the city of Luoyang in the Chinese province of Henan. There are more than 2,300 caves in this place; 110,000 Buddhist images, more than 80 dagobas (Buddhist mausoleums) containing relics of Buddhas, as well as 2,800 inscriptions on rocks near the Yishui River, a kilometer long. Buddhism was first introduced to China in these places during the reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty.