On July 8 in Quebec City, Canada, UNESCO, (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) announced 27 new additions to the organization’s list of cultural and natural heritage sites. Formed in 1945, UNESCO “seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.”
900-year-old Preah Vihear temple on Cambodian border
New UNESCO Cultural Sites:
- Preah Vihear Temple (Cambodia)
- Fujian Tulou (China)
- Stari Grad Plain (Croatia)
- Historic Centre of Camagüey (Cuba)
- Fortifications of Vauban (France)
- Berlin Modernism Housing Estates (Germany)
- Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran (Iran)
- Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee (Israel)
- Mantua and Sabbioneta (Italy)
- The Mijikenda Kaya Forests (Kenya)
- Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)
- Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco (Mexico)
- Le Morne Cultural Landscape (Mauritius)
- Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Papua New Guinea)
- San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano (San Marino)
- Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) (Saudi Arabia)
- The Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of Carpathian Mountain Area (Slovakia)
- Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Cultural Landscape (Switzerland and Italy)
- Chief Roi Mata’s Domain (Vanuatu)
Four countries- Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Saudi Arabia and Vanuatu- are new to the list. Have you been to any UNESCO World Heritage sites? What are your favorite UNESCO sites?
I haven’t been to any of the new 27 UNESCO sites (yet), but I’ve seen the historic centre of Salzburg and Vienna, the Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn, Grande île in Strasbourg, Cathedral of Notre-Dame and Banks of the Seine in Paris, the royal domain of Drottningholm in Stockholm, the old city of Berne, Three Castles in the town of Bellinzone, Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret’s Church, Tower of London, and the Statue of Liberty. So far, my favorites are the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and Meteora in Greece. In the future, I’d like to visit the major national parks in the US.
I have been to several of the UNESCO heritage sites in Australia, they are all very unique and amazing to visit.
Great Barrier Reef
Kakadu National Park
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock)
Fraser Island
Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
Sydney Opera House
All ‘must see’ places to visit along with hundreds or thousands of other things to see and do in Australia.
@Tina
I have yet to travel to Australia. I would love to go horseback riding in Australia.
Great post. I like the post very much, especially because it contains great information and will be useful at the time of travel. Thanks a lot for this wonderful share.
It is a shame that I am from Slovakia and still I have not seen the wooden churches;(I will have to plan the trip this summer.) Thanks for sharing this list, there is a lot of interesting places to see 😉