UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) announced in July that there will be 21 new additions to the World Heritage site list. All of the selected destinations are recognised for their outstanding value to humanity, having been chosen based on the criteria of cultural and natural aspects. These range from masterpieces of human creative genius and landscapes of exceptional natural beauty to significance to human history and significant natural habitats for biodiversity.
UNESCO has added 21 sites to the selection following the 41st annual World Heritage Committee session in Krakow, Poland, bringing the total number of World Heritage Sites to 1,073. The full list of this year’s new cultural and natural sites is:
- Turkey - Aphrodisias, Archaeological site and marble quarries
- Eritrea - Asmara, Modernist city of Africa
- Russia - Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of Sviyazhsk
- Germany - Caves and ice age art in the Swabian Jura
- Palestinian territories - Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town
- Iran - History city of Yazd
- Denmark - Kujataa Greenland, sub-Arctic farming landscape
- China - Kulangsu, historic international settlement
- Angola - Mbanza Kongo, political and spiritual capital of the Kingdom of Kongo
- Japan - Sacred Island of Okinoshima
- France - Taputapuātea, centre of the ‘Polynesian Triangle’
- Poland - Tarnowskie Góry, lead-silver-zinc mine
- United Kingdom - English Lake District
- Brazil - Valongo Wharf, archaeological site
- Croatia, Italy, Montenegro - Venetian Works of Defence
- South Africa - Khomani Cultural Landscape
- Mongolia, Russia - Landscapes of Dauria (Natural Site)
- Argentina - Los Alerces National Park (Natural Site)
- China - Qinghai Hoh Xil, the highest and largest plateau in the world (Natural Site)
- India - Ahmedabad, historic city
Made up of representatives from 21 countries, the United Nations’ World Heritage Committee meet each year to vote for natural, cultural and sites of mixed significance from around the world to add to the prestigious list.
Additions to the list began in 1978 and the process of adding new sites to the list began in 1978 and is taken very seriously by nations across the world. Having the words ‘UNESCO World Heritage site’ is like gold dust in the world of tourism marketing, meaning that nations dedicate many years pitching for inclusion.
With 1,073 properties around the world, you won’t be short of stunning cultural and natural sites to visit when you book a cruise.
