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UNESCO World Heritage Sites- 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 for 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. In order to protect historical objects from destruction, they are included in the general list, which is annually replenished with dozens of places in different parts of the world. Let's take a look at some famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Al-Zeituna Mosque, Tunisia
The Great Mosque or Al-Zeitun Mosque, located in the medina of the city of Tunis, is the largest mosque in the country. Although non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the prayer hall, the mosque's courtyard alone is worth a visit. The al-Zeytoun Mosque is designed in a classical style, with arcades, columns and capitals. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.
Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor, Egypt
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is located at the foot of the Deir el-Bahri cliffs. This temple is significantly different from many other Egyptian temples. And this is the only sanctuary built in honor of the great female pharaoh.
The temple of Queen Hatshesput is as amazing as the female pharaoh herself. A huge pylon was erected next to this temple, adjacent to which was a 30-meter dam with sphinxes. In front of the temple itself there was an amazing garden of beautiful shrubs and strange trees. Now the temple is visited by more than a million tourists annually. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1959.
Bahai Gardens, Haifa, Israel
The main attraction of Haifa is the Baha'i World Center, surrounded by beautiful gardens, spread out on terraces along the slope of Mount Carmel with original fountains and strange trees and plants. The Bahai Gardens in Haifa are one of the most visited places in the entire Mediterranean.
Famous architects worked for 10 years to create this eighth wonder of the world. All work was carried out exclusively by volunteers who came from 90 countries to contribute to the construction.
In the very center of the Bahai Gardens on Mount Carmel, lies the Sanctuary of the Bab. Designed by eminent Canadian architect William Maxwell, the structure of the Sanctuary of the Báb is a combination of Western and Eastern styles: granite columns, Corinthian capitals, and majestic arches. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2008.
Petra, Jordan
The ancient city of Petra is rightfully considered the main attraction of Jordan. The Nabataean city of Petra was founded in these rocks approximately 4 millennia ago. Petra, which served as the capital of the kingdom, gradually acquired enormous influence and unprecedented popularity. The emergence of a city in such hard to reach place became possible thanks to the ability of the Nabateans to control the flow of water, because in essence Petra is nothing more than an artificial oasis!
Flash floods are common in this area, and the Nabataeans successfully controlled them using dams, cisterns, and aqueducts, which allowed them not only to survive long periods of drought, but also to successfully trade water. Everything would have been fine until the Roman Emperor Trajan came and destroyed the kingdom. No man had set foot here since the 16th century, until in 1812 the Swiss traveler-adventurer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt decided to find a lost city in these lands, about which there were many legends. As a result, the Swiss found the legendary lost city, protected by sands and rocks! Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkon Temple, Ayutthaya, Thailand
This temple was built in 1357 for a community of monks from the Pa Kaeo Sect and was originally called Wat Phra Chao Phya Tha. The temple was intended for meditation, which King U-Thong also practiced along with the monks. In 1592, in honor of the victory over the Burmese, another king, Naresuan, built a majestic pagoda, after which the temple changed its name and became known as Wat Yai Chai Mongkon.
There is a statue of the Reclining Buddha in yellow saffron robes. In addition to the Reclining Buddha, you can admire the statues of meditating Buddhas, also dressed in saffron robes. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1991.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
The sacred city of the Itza people, known as Chichen Itza, is located 75 miles east of the city of Merida, the capital of Yucatan. Translated from the language of local tribes, this name means “Well of the Itza tribe.” Archaeologists consider it one of the places of power associated with the Mayan culture. The ancient city occupies an area of about six square miles, where hundreds of buildings were once located, of which only ruins now remain. About three dozen surviving buildings are of great interest to researchers. The most famous structure is the step pyramid of Kukulkan.
It has a square at its base, and its height reaches 23 m. On the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes (March 20 and September 21), at approximately three o'clock in the afternoon, the rays of the sun illuminate the western balustrade of the main staircase of the pyramid in such a way that light and shadow they create an image of seven isosceles triangles, which in turn make up the body of a thirty-seven-meter snake, “creeping” as the sun moves to its own head, carved at the base of the stairs. It is this light show that tourists most often come to. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988.
Victoria Station (Chhatrapati Shivaji), Mumbai, India
Victoria is the largest railway station in India. The dome of the station building, one of the largest in the world, is visible from afar. Several years ago it was renamed in honor of the King of India - Chhatrapati Shivaji. But people still call him Victoria. The covered platform is 400 meters long. Steel and glass floors support massive columns, their capitals made of iron, some of white sandstone.
Thick walls, voluminous spaces, spacious verandas ensure coolness inside the building. The façade of the building is decorated with protruding bay windows, decorative columns, and figurines of fairy-tale characters. Main function at the dome - to amaze the imagination and serve as a landmark. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004.
Novodevichy Convent, Moscow, Russia
Novodevichy Convent, in the southwest of Moscow, in a bend of the Moscow River, was founded in 1524 according to the vow of the Grand Duke Vasily III in memory of the capture of Smolensk in 1514. Novodevichy was an important link in the defensive ring of Moscow guardian monasteries. In 1871, at the expense of the Filatievs, a shelter-school for orphans of “ignoble rank” was opened; there were also two almshouses for nuns and novices. By 1917, 51 nuns and 53 novices lived in the monastery.
In 1922 the monastery was closed, and the “Museum of the Emancipation of Women” was created there. By 1926 it was transformed into a historical, household and art museum, since 1934 a branch of the Historical Museum. Since 1980, the Novodevichy Convent has been the residence of Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna. In 1994, a convent was re-established, under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna. Since 1995, services in the cathedral on patronal holidays have resumed. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004.
Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy
One of the most famous and beautiful squares in Rome is the Piazza di Spagna located in the city center. It received its name due to the fact that in 1620 the Palace of Spain, or Palazzo di Spagna, which housed the embassy of this country, appeared on it.
In the northern part of Plaza de España there is the Spanish Steps. Before her in 1627-1629. The architect Pietro Bernini built the Barcaccia Fountain in the form of a half-sunken boat. The steps of the Spanish Steps lead to the Trinità dei Monti church, which dominates the square. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1959.
Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan
Wadi Rum is one of the main attractions of Jordan along with the city of Petra. This is an example of an extraordinary sandy landscape, consisting of an almost perfectly smooth surface of pink-golden sand and multi-colored sandstone hills rising above it all. Peace and quiet reign here, only isolated, lonely settlements occasionally disturb the desert with their presence.
In the desert there are the remains of the ruins of an ancient Nabatean temple. Also in the vast expanses of Wadi Rum there are protected areas for the breeding of Beisa antelopes, which are monitored by members of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina
Perito Moreno is a glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the southeast of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The glacier is 78 km away. from the village of El Calafate. This enormous accumulation of ice was named after explorer Francisco Moreno, who first explored the region in the 19th century.
Perito Moreno has an area of 250 km² and is one of 48 glaciers fed by the southern part of the Patagonian Glacier. This natural phenomenon is the third largest source of reserves fresh water in the world. Unfortunately, from year to year the glacier collapses and loses its value. There is a specific charitable organization that accepts donations in order to maintain the viability of the glacier. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1981.
30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Must Visit! The UNESCO World Heritage List includes some of the best preserved sites in the world. In 2013, a further 19 sites were added to the List, 14 of which are of cultural significance and the remaining 5 of natural significance. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the most interesting places to travel.
To date, more than 980 sites from around the world have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most of these sites are popular tourist destinations and attract large numbers of tourists.
UNESCO has divided World Heritage sites into three broad categories, namely:
– natural heritage sites (nature/landscape created without any human intervention),
- cultural heritage sites (places of cultural/spiritual significance for people)
- places of mixed heritage (places that have elements of both natural and cultural heritage).
Below we have listed 30 of the most beautiful places from this list that are definitely worth a visit!
Added to the List in 1978.
Country: Ecuador
Located in the eastern part Pacific Ocean The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago consisting of thirteen islands and six small islets. These islands are located at the confluence of three ocean currents. The Galapagos Islands are known for their absolutely stunning marine life, fascinating birds and pristine beaches.
Activities: Besides cruises to some of the most remote islands of the archipelago, most tourists prefer the Galapagos Islands as they are great place for snorkeling and diving.
Best time to visit: mid-June to early September and mid-December to mid-January.
Added to the List in 1978.
Country: United States of America
The park extends over 898,349 hectares. There are more than 300 geysers here (two thirds of the total number of geysers); over 10,000 geothermal sites (almost half of all there are in the world) and fabulous wildlife including bison, grizzly bears and wolves. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park passes through the US states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
Activities: Yellowstone National Park offers numerous activities for tourists, including excursions, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating and swimming. This is a fantastic place for walking and cycling.
Best time to visit: June to August, if you are a skiing enthusiast, visit the Park from November to February.
Added to the List in 1979.
Country: Belarus, Poland
The National Park, world-famous as Belovezhskaya Pushcha, is located on the watershed between the Black and Baltic Seas. Some of the most exotic species of broad-leaved trees and evergreens have been preserved here. Moreover, the forest reserve also boasts of remarkable fauna, which includes some rare species mammals, such as bison.
Entertainment: all entertainment consists of guided tours and independent walks around the park. Observation of birds and animals listed in the Red Book.
Best time to visit: between March and September.
Added to the List in 1981.
Country: Australia
One of the most famous marine ecosystems in the world is located right here on the Great Barrier Reef. Here is the world's largest collection of corals, including more than 400 different species of coral, along with 1,500 species of fish and about 4,000 species of shellfish. In addition to this, six of the seven species of sea turtles known in the world are found on the Reef.
Activities: The Great Barrier Reef is a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Best time to visit: June to November.
Added to the List in 1981.
Country: Argentina
The best place in South America to enjoy views of glaciers. It is a place of exceptional beauty, boasting high mountain peaks and 47 large glaciers.
Activities: Hiking is by far the most popular tourist activity in the region, followed by mountaineering. You can join a boat tour and navigate between the majestic icebergs.
Best time to visit: between October and March.
Added to the List in 1984.
Country: Canada
This World Heritage Site includes four national parks - Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho and three provincial parks - Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and the Humber - located in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. UNESCO World Heritage Sites - These parks are known for their absolutely stunning landscapes, which feature mountain peaks, glaciers, canyons, waterfalls, hot springs and many other impressive sites.
Entertainment: hiking, horse riding, etc. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can also try some dog sledding across the snowy plains. If you are a history buff, be sure to visit the Burgess Shale fossil site, famous for the fossilized remains of some marine species that existed millions of years ago.
Best time to visit: September to October or May, June for hiking and December or April for skiing.
Added to the List in 1987.
Country: India
Located in the Indian state of West Bengal, the Sundarbans contains the world's largest mangrove forests, covering approximately 1,000,000 hectares. The National Park is home to some exotic and endangered species, including tigers, reptiles, birds and aquatic mammals.
Entertainment: In addition to walks and excursions along forest paths, you can, for example, ride a bicycle to a local village or visit a local school.
Best time to visit: between September and March.
Added to the List in 1993.
Country: Japan
Located in Kagoshima Prefecture, in the interior of Yaku Island, the park is home to about 1,900 different species and subspecies of plants. This area is home to rare, ancient examples of Japanese cedar (Suji).
Activities: Hiking along forest trails; there are also several white sand beaches where tourists can enjoy snorkeling. Visitors can also bathe in the hot springs, which are located a few kilometers away.
Best time to visit: May, October, November.
Included in the List in 2001.
Country: Brazil
Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago consisting of 21 islands and several other small islets in the Atlantic Ocean, and Rocas Atoll is the only atoll in the South Atlantic. These two reserves are notable for the fact that tuna, turtles, sharks, as well as several marine mammals are bred here. Bahia de Golfinos beach is popular because you can see dolphins here. Additionally, tropical birds and breathtaking seascape views at low tide make this region outstanding.
Activities: Apart from boat excursions, these places also offer plenty of dolphin watching and diving opportunities.
Best time to visit: April to November.
Included in the List in 2010.
Country: France
UNESCO World Heritage Site - The national park covers an area of approximately 100,000 hectares, which is about 40% of the total area of Reunion Island. The place is famous for its subtropical and tropical forests, and is home to various flora and fauna.
Entertainment: hiking, rock climbing and all kinds of excursions, including air excursions.
Best time to visit: May to October; November to April is the cyclone season.
Added to the List in 1979.
Country: Egypt
These colossal ancient Egyptian monuments represent, one might say, a huge archaeological park, in fact, a great museum under open air. The magnificent structures, which include the Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae, make a lasting impression.
Entertainment: visiting great monuments, camel ride, visit the Aswan Dam.
Best time to visit: November to February.
Added to the List in 1981.
Country: Pakistan
Located in the city of Lahore in Punjab. Built during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan, these two masterpieces are major tourist attractions in Pakistan. The fort complex has numerous marble structures: palaces and mosques, decorated with colorful mosaics and gilding. The elegant gardens with numerous waterfalls, fountains and decorative ponds look impressive.
Entertainment: Tourists are allowed to roam freely around the fort and gardens. There are several wonderful restaurants where you can try delicious local cuisine.
Best time to visit: October to April.
Listed in 1984
Country: Vatican
One of the most sacred places in Christendom, the Vatican is filled with colossal religious and secular buildings and monuments. In the center of the Vatican is St. Peter's Basilica, the largest religious building in the world. The circular square in front of the basilica is surrounded by beautiful palaces and gardens.
Entertainment: Tours of major churches and basilicas throughout the city, as well as the city's many museums. Don't forget to visit the famous Sistine Chapel. Best time to visit: April to June and September to October.
Listed in 1985
Country: Jordan
One of the most famous world heritage sites in the world. Petra is an ancient city located at the junction of the Dead and Red Seas. Strategically, it was located at the crossroads of Egypt, Arabia, Syria and Phenicia, indicating that it was indeed an important settlement in ancient times. Petra is also one of the most important archaeological sites, displaying a subtle blend of eastern and western architectural styles.
Activities: Petra is located high in the mountains and there are several hiking trails that lead into the city. You can also explore the surrounding desert areas on horseback or camels.
Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
Listed in 1987
Country: England
Bath is an ancient Roman city located approximately 100 miles west of the English capital.
Entertainment: Bath offers many things to do for tourists. In addition to soaking in the natural hot springs, you can take a tour of the city; the city is surrounded by picturesque countryside, which is best explored on foot.
Best time to visit: April to June and September.
Added to the List in 1991.
Country: Indonesia
UNESCO World Heritage Site - Largest Buddhist temple complex in the world. Borobudur is a colossal monument that is located in the central part of the island of Java.
Entertainment: In May you can attend a Buddhist festival, which is held on the occasion of Buddha's birthday. In June, a ballet performance is organized here, which talks about the concept and construction of the temple.
Best time to visit: April to October.
Added to the List in 1991.
Country: Sweden
Literally meaning "Queen's Island", Drottningholm Palace is located on a small artificial island on Lake Mälaren in the suburbs of Stockholm. Here, in addition to the palace, there are royal gardens, a palace church, a palace theater and the famous Chinese pavilion. The palace is certainly one of the finest examples of 18th century Northern European architecture and shows obvious influence from the architecture of the Château de Versailles.
Entertainment: The palace is the residence of the current Swedish royal family, so much of it is not open to public viewing. However, you can still visit some places. Visit " Big hall» palace, here you can see portraits of various European monarchs. There is a nice cafe next to the garden where you can spend a great day.
Best time to visit: May to September.
Added to the List in 1992.
Country: Cambodia
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. It occupies an area of about 40,000 hectares. The park is an ensemble of remnants of the Cambodian Khmer Empire, which include a number of temples and sculptures. World famous temple complexes: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon.
Entertainment: exploring various temples and sculptures. Take a walk in the desert.
Best time to visit: between November and February.
Included in the List in 1996.
Country: Austria
One of the most outstanding Baroque complexes in Europe. Schönbrunn Palace is located in Vienna and served as the summer residence of the Habsburg Emperors from the 18th century until the early 20th century. Magnificent gardens are an excellent example of European decorative art.
Entertainment: tours of the palace and garden, walks around Vienna, canal cruises.
Best time to visit: May to October.
Included in the List in 1999.
Country: India
Includes three mountain railways that pass through seemingly impenetrable terrain in the Indian mountains. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka Shimla Railway.
Entertainment: Ride one of these trains and enjoy fascinating views of mystical mountains, dense forests and complex networks of tunnels.
Best time to visit: Darjeeling Himalayan Road - September to June; Nilgiri road - from February to June; Kalka Shimla road - from April to August and from December to January.
Added to the List in 1979.
Country: Guatemala
Set amidst lush, dense jungle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Parks is one of the most important centers of the ancient Mesoamerican Mayan civilization. Tikal National Park boasts some of the most impressive architectural remains of the Mayan people. Impressive palaces and temples, sacrificial platforms, public plazas, and some fragmented remains of Mayan dwellings.
Entertainment: Visit the Silvanus G. Morley Museum, where you can see various artifacts. Camping and jungle trekking are some of the most popular activities.
Best time to visit: between November and April.
Added to the List in 1983.
Country: Peru
This 15th-century city is located in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, at an altitude of about 8,000 feet. Machu Picchu is the highlight of Peru. This World Heritage site boasts giant walls, ramps and terraces, all built in such a way that it appears as if it has always been part of the natural landscape. In addition, due to its location on the eastern slopes of the Andes, the forests have an extremely rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Activities: Hiking around Machu Picchu, taking a tour of various Inca sanctuaries and caves, learning a bit of local history - some of the stories are really interesting!
Best time to visit: July and August.
Added to the List in 1985.
Country: Türkiye
The province of Nevsehir in Central Anatolia is famous throughout the world for its remains of the Byzantine period: various residential and underground settlements dating back to the 4th century AD. Erosion processes have shaped the sculptural landscape of the Goreme Valley, and the rock structures of Cappadocia testify to what happens when natural forces and human hands work in opposition to each other.
Entertainment: hiking and excursions, hot air balloon tours. Additionally, Cappadocia is one of Turkey's largest wine regions, so be sure to stop by for a wine tasting at the local wineries.
Best time to visit: April to mid-June and September to November.
Listed in 1987
Country: Australia
Located in the northern part of Australia. The site boasts some impressive geological formations, including the rock domes of Kata Tjuta.
Activities: Rock climbing, guided walking tours, camel trekking through the desert, helicopter tour and much more.
Best time to visit: April and May.
Added to the List in 1988.
Country: Greece
A UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Thessaly, the monastery complex of Meteora is a one-of-a-kind site. It’s amazing how 24 monasteries were built in such inaccessible terrain, at such an altitude, and even in the 15th century. The monasteries boast remarkable frescoes from the 16th century.
Activities: Rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and rafting are the main activities. You can visit one of the nearby villages and try traditional cuisine.
Best time to visit: July to mid-October.
Inscribed on the List in 1989.
Country: Mali
One of the most impressive places in West Africa. The Bandiagara Plateau in Mopti is not only stunning scenery, but also a place where you can see examples of African architecture. In addition to houses, barns, altars, temples and community centers, the region has preserved centuries-old traditions of the Dogon (people in Mali) in the form of masks, rituals, religious ceremonies and so on.
Entertainment: Visit a local village and buy authentic Dogon crafts. You can ride in a donkey cart.
Best time to visit: November to March.
Inscribed on the List in 1990.
Country: New Zealand
The oldest national park in New Zealand. Tongariro boasts spectacular scenery, numerous active but dormant volcanoes and a rich diversity of ecosystems.
Entertainment: walks in the park are The best way see all the sights of this place.
Best time to visit: between November and May.
Inscribed on the List in 1996.
Country: China
Located in the southern part of Sichuan Province in China, Emeishan is a wonderful place. The mountain features a variety of vegetation and old trees (some over 1000 years old). From the 1st century AD, Buddhists began to build on the top of the mountain, probably due to the tranquility and beauty of the place. Gradually, this place became one of the most sacred places of Buddhism and turned into a center of pilgrimage. A special attraction of this World Heritage Site is the colossal Buddha statue carved into the mountain. This is the largest Buddha statue in the world.
Entertainment: Hiking and hiking are the best things you can do here to experience all the beauty, peace and harmony of this place.
Best time to visit: all year round.
Inscribed on the List in 1999.
Country: Spain
Ibiza, better known for its clubbing and nightlife, actually includes two separate worlds. Most of the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Numerous prehistoric archaeological sites, outstanding examples of Renaissance military architecture and some Spanish colonial fortifications.
Activities: Explore the beautiful countryside, hiking and parasailing tours are also quite popular. Try traditional Spanish cuisine. Best time to visit: between April and June.
Inscribed on the List in 2012.
Country: Palau
445 volcanic uninhabited limestone islands that lie in lagoons surrounded by coral reefs are the Rock Islands. There are more than 385 species of coral, a huge variety of marine life and the highest concentration of marine lakes on earth. There are also numerous archaeological remains of villages, burials and rock art that date back over 3,000 years.
Activities: Rock Islands is Palau's most popular snorkeling and diving destination. Visit colorful lagoons and vibrant caves.
Best time to visit: February and March.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the most visited places by tourists!
Currently, the human environment is changing rapidly and at an increasing speed. The task of humanity is to maintain nature on the globe in the state necessary for life, health and well-being. It is also necessary to preserve, as far as possible, at least the most unique places in nature that are of particular value scientific point vision, areas constituting habitats of valuable or endangered species of plants and animals. There are many unique places in nature, the disappearance of which would be an irreparable loss not only for the country in which they are located, but also for all of humanity as a whole.In most countries of the world, networks of so-called “specially protected natural areas” (SPNA) have been created for these purposes. These include the following natural objects:
Nizhnesvirsky Nature Reserve, Leningrad Region
Wildlife sanctuaries are created to preserve or restore some or all of nature's components and to maintain the overall ecological balance. Some types of economic activity are limited in these territories.
Gladyshevsky reserve, Leningrad region
Natural monuments are small areas that include naturally valuable objects: caves, rocks, waterfalls, groves of rare tree species, river valleys, lakes, etc.
Natural monument “Yastrebinoye Lake”, Leningrad region
Natural parks serve to protect natural complexes that have ecological, historical and aesthetic value. They are staffed with special staff.
Natural Park"Vepp Forest", Leningrad Region
B Have you ever been to one of the protected areas? What do you remember about this place?
In these territories, people preserve both rare, unique and typical areas of forests, swamps, meadows, reservoirs and other natural ecosystems, rare and abundant species of plants and animals in their natural environment habitats, bird flight routes, fish spawning routes and other natural objects and processes.
The entire nature of our planet is priceless and unique. Of course, from the natural areas subject to special protection, it is difficult to single out some of the most outstanding and valuable corners of nature of “exceptional significance” that are vitally important to preserve for the present and future generations. A special UNESCO program is dedicated to this, constituting the so-called World Heritage List.
The UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage came into force in 1975. Its main goal is to attract the forces of the world community to preserve unique cultural and natural objects. By mid-2012, the total number of countries participating in the Convention had already reached 189. Among UNESCO's international programs, this program is the most representative. To improve the effectiveness of the Convention, the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Fund were established in 1976.
The World Natural Heritage consists of mountains, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, islands, forests, caves, reefs, national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries.
Of course, being on a par with the generally recognized world pearls of nature and culture is honorable and prestigious, but at the same time, it is also a great responsibility. To receive World Heritage status, a property must be of Outstanding Human Value and undergo a thorough peer review. At the same time, the nominated natural object must meet at least one of the following four criteria:
Include unique natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic value;
Present outstanding examples of major stages of Earth's history, including traces ancient life, serious geological processes that continue to occur in the development of the forms of the earth's surface, significant geomorphological or physical-geographical features of the relief;
Present outstanding examples of important ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and plant and animal communities;
Include natural habitats of great importance for the conservation of their biological diversity, including habitats of endangered species that represent an outstanding global asset from a scientific or conservation point of view.
The status of a World Natural Heritage site provides additional guarantees of the safety and integrity of unique natural complexes, increases the prestige of the territories, promotes the popularization of objects and the development of alternative types of environmental management, and ensures priority in attracting financial resources.
The first cultural and natural sites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List two years after the creation of the program. Among natural areas, the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Yellowstone (USA), Nahanni (Canada) and Simen (Ethiopia) national parks received heritage status. Over the past years, the List has become very representative both in terms of the regions of the planet represented and in the number of objects: by mid-2012 it already included 188 natural objects. Most of them are located in the USA and Australia (more than 10 objects in each country). Under the protection of the Convention are such world-famous natural monuments as the Great Barrier Reef, the Hawaiian Islands, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Video 62.
In Russia, the initiator of adding natural sites to the World Heritage List is primarily Greenpeace. By joining this UNESCO program, a new page was opened in the matter of nature conservation in Russia.
World Natural Heritage Sites of Russia
There are inaccuracies on the map, since currently 11 objects are already included in the list, including the Putorana Plateau and the Lena Pillars Natural Park. The first in our country to receive the status of a World Natural Heritage Site in 1995 was a natural complex called “Virgin Forests of Komi”.
The territory of this site is the largest of the remaining tracts of primary forests in Europe, the appearance of which is almost unchanged by human impact. Video 63.
The virgin forests of Komi are a real taiga treasury. There are more than 40 species of mammals (including brown bear, sable, elk), 204 species of birds (including the white-tailed eagle and osprey listed in the Red Book of Russia), 16 species of fish, the most valuable of which are considered glacial relics - char palia and Siberian grayling.
This territory stretches along the western slope of the Subpolar and Northern Urals for more than 300 km. The Ural mountain system has a significant influence on the climate. Natural complexes in some places form a complex mosaic: along narrow river valleys, taiga vegetation rises high into the mountains.
The main tree species - spruce and fir - are accompanied by Siberian cedar. Here the crystal clear tributaries of the Pechora originate and receive. Currently, the territory of the World Heritage Site “Virgin Komi Forests” is in danger due to illegal gold mining taking place here (1).Greenpeace Russia and other non-governmental organizations will fight to stop any environmental destruction activities on its territory.
Lake Baikal
Baikal is one of the greatest lakes on the planet, lake " superlatives": the deepest (1637 meters), the oldest (about 25 million years old), with the most diverse flora and fauna among fresh water bodies. Video 64.
The lake has a unique supply of fresh water in terms of volume and quality - more than 20% of the world's reserves). The Baikal depression is the central link of the Baikal rift zone, one of the largest ancient fault systems on Earth. The lake, together with its entire basin, is a unique and very fragile natural ecosystem, which ensures the natural process of formation of the purest waters. For Siberia, the climate of the Baikal coasts is relatively mild. For example, the number of sunny days per year here is higher than in many Black Sea resorts.In the anciently isolated Baikal depression, one of the richest and most unusual freshwater fauna in the world was formed, which is of exceptional value for the study of evolutionary processes.
Of the more than 2,630 species and subspecies of animals and plants found in the lake to date, more than 80% are found nowhere else in the world. Who hasn't heard of the famous Baikal omul or Baikal sturgeon? Two unique type viviparous fish, representatives of the family endemic (2) to Lake Baikal - large and small golomyanka - are known to ichthyologists all over the world. The pyramid of the lake ecosystem is crowned by a typically marine mammal of origin - the seal, or Baikal seal.
Unfortunately, the unique nature of Lake Baikal is under threat (3).
WITH Have you heard about the actions that the public is taking to protect Baikal from pollution from the pulp and paper mill?
Another danger for Lake Baikal is posed by planned mining, illegal logging, forest fires, poaching, and oil spills.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka
The Kamchatka Peninsula is located at the junction of tectonic plates in a zone of active volcanism, where modern natural processes and the history of our planet are inseparable. Video 65.
Here, 30 active and about 300 extinct volcanoes, as well as more than 150 groups of thermal and mineral springs, are concentrated in a limited area. Dozens of geysers, hot springs, fumaroles (4), cascades of waterfalls, sharp peaks of ridges, mud pots and turquoise lakes, carpets of colorful algae give the fabulous appearance of the famous Valley of Geysers
The richest life is represented in the seas washing the coast of Kamchatka. Here are the growth zones for the larvae of the Kamchatka crab, the places where salmon fish come to spawn and where their juveniles roll into the sea. From summer to early winter, an amazing natural phenomenon can be observed on the rivers of the peninsula: millions of salmon in a continuous mass move along the rivers against the current to their spawning grounds.
Golden Mountains of Altai
The nature of this mountainous territory, located at the junction of Central Asia and Siberia, is distinguished by its striking originality. There are few places in the world with such a contrasting combination of different landscapes in such a small space. Video 66.
The flora and fauna of the region are diverse and in many ways unique. Here are the most significant subalpine and alpine meadows in the Siberian mountains. The color of the vegetation of the Southern Altai, where semi-deserts, steppes and tundra coexist, is also unique. The diversity of landscapes contributed to the emergence and preservation of endemic species in Altai, often occupying very small areas. Among the rare species of mammals, the snow leopard should be highlighted; it is one of the most beautiful cats of the world fauna. Very few of these animals have survived in Altai.
The geological history of the region is unique, “recorded” in the rocks of different ages composing it and imprinted in unusual relief forms. Such, for example, are the high terraces of the Katun River, striking in their grandeur. The grandiose Mount Belukha is the highest peak in Siberia (4506 meters). Altai river valleys are narrow, deep canyons.
The diversity of nature left its mark on the culture and religion of the indigenous population of this territory - the Altai. The achievements of the Altai traditional medicine. As the outstanding philosopher, writer, traveler H.K. wrote. Roerich, “many peoples passed through Altai and left traces: Scythians, Huns, Turks.” Gorny Altai is called an open-air museum.
Western Caucasus
The western part of the Greater Caucasus in terms of the diversity of flora and fauna and their preservation has no equal not only in the Caucasus region, but also among other mountainous regions of Europe and Western Asia. Video 67.
This is an area where a large number of endangered rare, endemic and relict species of plants and animals are concentrated. It is especially important that the little-changed habitat of the most vulnerable large mammals has been preserved here: bison, Caucasian red deer, Western Caucasian aurochs, chamois, Caucasian subspecies of brown bear, wolf and others.
The Caucasus Nature Reserve is practically the only habitat in the world for the mountain bison; outside this territory it is almost completely exterminated by poachers.
The territory is rich in picturesque objects: powerful waterfalls, pointed mountain peaks (up to 3360 meters), stormy mountain rivers with clear water, clear mountain lakes, huge trees (majestic fir trees up to 85 meters high and more than 2 meters in diameter), rare plants (orchids, etc.) and much more. An invaluable, unique natural complex has been preserved in the Western Caucasus.
Curonian Spit
The relief of this territory, located in the Kaliningrad region, is unique. A continuous strip of sand dunes 0.3 - 1 km wide, some of which are close to the highest in the world (up to 68 m), stretches along the peninsula for 70 km. Video 68.
Due to its geographical location and orientation from northeast to southwest, the spit serves as a “guide line” for birds of many species migrating from the northwestern regions of Russia, Finland and the Baltic countries to the countries of Central and Southern Europe. Every year in spring and autumn, 10 - 20 million birds fly over the spit, a significant part of which stop here to rest and feed. Among the birds flying here there are many rare and endangered species listed in the Red Books of Russia, Europe and the world.
It is especially interesting that the spit is rich in cultural heritage sites. These are unique in their scale protective structures, extremely valuable from the point of view of history, science and art; fishermen's settlements harmoniously integrated into the landscape; archaeological sites and monuments of religious architecture. The multifaceted dune relief of the Curonian Spit, combined with the greenery of the forests, the whiteness of the sandy beaches and the vast blue of the Baltic Sea, has a high aesthetic value.
Central Sikhote-Alin
This territory, located in the south of the Far East within Russia, is one of the largest and least modified by humans centers of conservation of communities of ancient coniferous-deciduous and broad-leaved forests. Video 69.
It presents a lot of rare and endangered species of animals, a significant part of which is preserved only within its borders. The mountainous country of Sikhote-Alin is the last large integral territory in the world inhabited by the Amur tiger. Many other rare and endangered plant and animal species endemic to the region also need protection.
Picturesque relief forms, deep rivers, combined with an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, the presence of plants and animals of exotic appearance, reminiscent of the tropics, give the nature of Sikhote-Alin completely unique features. There are many objects of aesthetic and recreational value located here: rock massifs that stand out picturesquely among the taiga, waterfalls, lakes and rapids, reefs, sandy bays of the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Ubsunur basin
The Ubsunur Basin, located on the territory of Mongolia and Russia, is one of the most original and unusual places in Central Asia. Video 70.
This region has preserved a unique complex of neighboring, closely interacting, extremely contrasting ecosystems - from taiga to desert. Glaciers, snowfields, mountain tundra of the alpine zone and subalpine meadows transform into a vast mountain-taiga belt, which gives way to forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert and even loose sand ridges, creating a natural phenomenon of exceptional beauty and diversity. It is impossible to see such diverse landscapes in such close proximity anywhere else in Eurasia. This territory has an unusually high species richness for temperate latitudes.
The relative sparse population of the territory and the absence of industrial facilities make it possible to preserve the basin as a natural laboratory for the study of biosphere processes
However, the value of the territory lies not only in the unique nature of the Ubsunur basin. The cultural heritage sites located here are of great importance - archaeological monuments, many of which have not yet been studied. Nowhere else in Central Asia are mounds found in such concentration as here (according to a rough estimate, there are up to 20 thousand of them); most of them are older than the Egyptian pyramids. Thousands of rock paintings and stone sculptures, the remains of medieval settlements and Buddhist chapels form a unique natural and cultural landscape.
Natural system of the Wrangel Island reserve»
The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve is located on the border of the East Siberian and Chukchi seas on the Wrangel and Herald islands with an adjacent 12-mile sea area. Video 71.
The 180th meridian passes through Wrangel Island, so the island lies in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. The relief is predominantly mountainous, highly dissected, with coastal lowlands in the north and south. There are 1,400 rivers and streams on the island, about 900 small lakes. The unique combination of natural-historical and landscape-climatic conditions, as well as inaccessibility, have led to a large number of endemic, rare and relict plant species on the islands. On the islands, as parts of the ancient landmass that once united the Eurasian and North American continents, both Euro-Asian and American species flora and fauna.
Putorana Plateau
The plateau is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. It is a large basalt plateau located at the northern limit of the taiga and almost completely untouched by human economic activity. Video 72. Trap landforms (5) intersected by huge canyons are unusual and extremely interesting. The scale and number of waterfalls are impressive (the largest concentration is in Russia). There is a 108 m high waterfall here - one of the highest in our country. There are many lakes on the plateau, with depths of up to 400 m; the lake fjords are very picturesque.More than 1,300 plant species have been recorded on the Putorana Plateau. Here is the northern limit of distribution of the flying squirrel, lynx, sable, and capercaillie. The migration route of the world's largest population of wild reindeer, the Taimyr, runs through the plateau. It is also home to a little-studied, extremely interesting native form of bighorn sheep.
Lena Pillars
The Lena Pillars Natural Park is located in Central Yakutia, in the middle reaches of the Lena River. Video 73.
The park got its name because of the unique ridge of rocks - fabulous stone sculptures in the form of pillars and towers stretch along the banks of the Lena for tens of kilometers. The height of some reaches 100 meters. This natural monument is made of Cambrian limestone - a rock formed more than 500 million years ago.
In addition, in the park there are small areas of the desert landscape - unique permafrost ecosystems, as well as blowing sand-tuculans - isolated and independently developing sand ridges with slopes practically unfixed by vegetation. In the area of the Lena Pillars, scientists discovered burials of bone remains of ancient fauna: mammoth, bison, Lena horse, woolly rhinoceros.
The park is home to 21 species of rare and endangered plants listed in the Red Book. In the basin of the middle reaches of the Lena River, the fish fauna includes 31 species. Nesting sites for 101 species of birds have been established in the park. Animals common here are sable, brown bear, squirrel, elk, wapiti, chipmunk, musk deer, and the mountain-forest form of wild reindeer.
Work to continue to include new areas on the World Heritage List continues. According to the rules, nominations for consideration by the World Heritage Committee must first be included in the national Tentative List. They are presented on the map of the World Natural Heritage of Russia (see above).
It is obvious that effective protection of such territories is impossible without the active involvement of public organizations and as many citizens of the country as possible. Let us remember that we have individual and collective responsibility for the preservation of natural complexes.
Read the resolution of the International Non-Governmental Organizations Forum on World Heritage Sites (6).
What can we, the residents of Russia, do to support the conservation and development of specially protected natural areas?
Each of these places is unique in its own way, and together they function, making up the unity and integrity of the life support system on the Planet. They create its unique, still far from fully understood and understood appearance.
Currently, there are 26 World Heritage Sites located on the territory of the Russian Federation:
16 cultural sites (designated with the letter C - cultural) and 10 natural heritage sites (designated with the letter N - natural) on the World Heritage List.
Three of them are transboundary, i.e. located on the territory of several states: Curonian Spit (Lithuania, Russian Federation), Ubsunur Basin (Mongolia, Russian Federation), Struve Geodetic Arc (Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia)
The first objects - “Historical Center St. Petersburg and associated groups of monuments”, “Kizhi Pogost”, “Moscow Kremlin and Red Square” - were included in the World Heritage List at the 14th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in 1990 in the Canadian city of Banff.
№С540 - Historical center St. Petersburg and related groups of monuments
Criteria (i) (ii) (iv) (vi)
The "Venice of the North", with its many canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a great urban planning project, begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. The city turned out to be closely connected with the October Revolution of 1917, and in 1924-1991. it bore the name Leningrad. Its architectural heritage combines such various styles like Baroque and Classicism, which can be seen in the example of the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage.
Information about the object:
No. S544 - Kizhi Pogost
Criteria: (i)(iv)(v)
Kizhi Pogost is located on one of the many islands of Lake Onega, in Karelia. Here you can see two wooden churches from the 18th century, as well as an octagonal bell tower, built of wood in 1862. These unusual structures, the pinnacle of carpentry, represent an example of an ancient church parish and blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C545 - Moscow Kremlin and Red Square
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)(vi)
This place is inextricably linked with the most important historical and political events in the life of Russia. Since the 13th century. The Moscow Kremlin, created in the period from the 14th century. to the 17th century by outstanding Russian and foreign architects, it was a grand ducal and then a royal residence, as well as a religious center. On Red Square, located near the walls of the Kremlin, stands St. Basil's Cathedral - a true masterpiece of Russian Orthodox architecture.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Moscow Kremlin Museums
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. S604 - Historical monuments Veliky Novgorod and surrounding areas
Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)
Novgorod, advantageously located on the ancient trade route between Central Asia and Northern Europe, was in the 9th century. the first capital of Russia, the center of Orthodox spirituality and Russian architecture. Its medieval monuments, churches and monasteries, as well as the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek (Andrei Rublev's teacher), dating back to the 14th century, clearly illustrate the outstanding level of architectural and artistic creativity.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Novgorod Region
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C632 - Historical and cultural complex of the Solovetsky Islands
Criterion: (iv)
The Solovetsky archipelago, located in the western part of the White Sea, consists of 6 islands with a total area of more than 300 square meters. km. They were inhabited in the 5th century. BC, however, the very first evidence of human presence here dates back to the 3rd-2nd millennia BC. The islands, starting from the 15th century, became the site of the creation and active development of the largest monastery in the Russian North. There are also several churches from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Solovetsky State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve"
on the website "Museums of Russia"
No. C633 - White stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
These two ancient cultural centers of Central Russia occupy an important place in the history of the formation of the country's architecture. There are a number of majestic religious and public buildings XII-XIII centuries, among which the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals (Vladimir) stand out.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. S657 - Architectural ensemble Trinity Lavra of Sergius in the city of Sergiev Posad
Criteria: (ii)(iv)
This is a striking example of the current Orthodox monastery, possessing the features of a fortress, which was quite consistent with the spirit of the time of its formation - the XV-XVIII centuries. In the main temple of the Lavra - the Assumption Cathedral, created in the image and likeness of the cathedral of the same name in the Moscow Kremlin - there is the tomb of Boris Godunov. Among the treasures of the Lavra is the famous Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev.
Information about the object:
on website of the Ministry of Culture of the Moscow Region
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№С634rev- Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye (Moscow)Criterion: (ii)
This church was built in 1532 on the royal estate of Kolomenskoye near Moscow to commemorate the birth of the heir - the future Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. The Church of the Ascension, which is one of the earliest examples of the traditional hipped roof completion in stone, had a great influence on further development Russian church architecture.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
N719 - Virgin forests of Komi
Criteria: (vii) (ix)
Covering an area of 3.28 million hectares, the heritage site includes lowland tundra, mountain tundra of the Urals, and one of the largest tracts of primary boreal forest remaining in Europe. A vast territory with swamps, rivers and lakes where they grow conifers, birch and aspen, have been studied and protected for more than 50 years. Here you can trace the course of natural processes that determine the biodiversity of the taiga ecosystem.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№ N754 - Lake Baikal
Criteria: (vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
Located in the southeast of Siberia and covering an area of 3.15 million hectares, Baikal is recognized as the oldest (25 million years old) and deepest (about 1700 m) lake on the planet. The reservoir stores approximately 20% of the world's fresh water reserves. In the lake, which is known as the “Galapagos of Russia,” due to its ancient age and isolation, a freshwater ecosystem, unique even by world standards, has formed, the study of which is of enduring importance for understanding the evolution of life on Earth.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№ N768rev - “Golden Mountains of Altai”
Criteria: (x)
The Altai Mountains, which are the main mountainous region in the south Western Siberia, form the sources of the largest rivers in this region - the Ob and Irtysh. The heritage site includes three separate areas: the Altai Nature Reserve with water protection zone Teletskoye Lake, Katunsky Reserve plus Belukha Natural Park, Ukok Plateau. The total area is 1.64 million hectares. The region demonstrates the widest range of altitudinal zones within Central Siberia: from steppes, forest-steppes and mixed forests to subalpine and alpine meadows and glaciers. The area is home to endangered animals such as the snow leopard.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№
N900
- Western CaucasusCriteria: (ix) (x)
This is one of the few large high mountain ranges in Europe where nature has not yet been subject to significant anthropogenic influence. The area of the object is approximately 300 thousand hectares, it is located in the west of the Greater Caucasus, 50 km northeast of the Black Sea coast. Only wild animals graze in the local alpine and subalpine meadows, and the vast untouched mountain forests, stretching from the low-mountain zone to the subalpine, are also unique in Europe. The area is characterized by a wide variety of ecosystems, highly endemic flora and fauna, and is an area once inhabited, and later re-acclimatized, by a mountain subspecies of the European bison.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C980 - Historical and architectural complex of the Kazan KremlinCriteria: (ii) (iii) (iv)
Emerging from a territory inhabited since ancient times, the Kazan Kremlin traces its history back to the Muslim period in the history of the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. It was conquered in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible and became a stronghold of Orthodoxy in the Volga region. The Kremlin, which largely preserved the layout of the ancient Tatar fortress and became an important center of pilgrimage, includes outstanding historical buildings of the 16th-19th centuries, built on the ruins of earlier structures of the 10th-16th centuries.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Historical-Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve "Kazan Kremlin"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C982 - Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery
Criteria: (i) (iv)
Ferapontov Monastery is located in the Vologda region, in the north of the European part of Russia. This is an exceptionally well-preserved Orthodox monastery complex of the 15th-17th centuries, i.e. a period that was of great importance for the formation of a centralized Russian state and the development of its culture. The architecture of the monastery is unique and holistic. The interior of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary preserves magnificent wall frescoes by Dionysius, the greatest Russian artist of the late 15th century.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Kirillo-Belozersky Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve”
on the website of the Museum of Frescoes of Dionysius
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№С994 - Curonian Spit
Transboundary object: Lithuania, Russian Federation
Criterion: (v)
Human development of this narrow sandy peninsula, which has a length of 98 km and a width of 400 m to 4 km, began in prehistoric times. The spit was also exposed to natural forces - wind and sea waves. The preservation of this unique cultural landscape to this day has become possible only thanks to man's ongoing struggle against erosion processes (fixation of dunes, forest planting).
Information about the object:
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Russia)
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania)
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№
N766rev - Central Sikhote-AlinCriterion: (x)
The Sikhote-Alin Mountains are home to Far Eastern coniferous-deciduous forests, which are recognized as one of the richest and most original in species composition among all temperate forests on Earth. In this transition zone, located at the junction of the taiga and subtropics, there is an unusual mixture of southern (tiger, Himalayan bear) and northern animal species (brown bear, lynx). The area stretches from the highest peaks of the Sikhote Alin to the coast of the Sea of Japan, and serves as a refuge for many endangered species, including the Amur tiger.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№
N769 rev- Ubsunur Basin
Transboundary site: Mongolia, Russian Federation
Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site (with an area of 1,069 thousand hectares) is located within the boundaries of the northernmost of all drainage basins in Central Asia. Its name comes from the name of the vast shallow and very salty lake Ubsunur, in the area of which a mass of migratory, waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds accumulate. The object consists of 12 isolated areas (including seven areas in Russia, with an area of 258.6 thousand hectares), which represent all the main types of landscapes characteristic of Eastern Eurasia. The steppes are home to a wide variety of birds, and desert areas are home to rare species of small mammals. In the high mountainous part, such globally rare animals as the snow leopard and argali mountain sheep, as well as the Siberian ibex, are noted.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Tuvan Republican Branch of the Russian Geographical Society
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C1070 - Citadel, Old city and fortifications of Derbent
Criteria: (iii) (iv)
Ancient Derbent was located on the northern borders of Sasanian Persia, which at that time extended east and west from the Caspian Sea. The ancient fortifications, built of stone, include two fortress walls that run parallel to each other from the seashore to the mountains. The city of Derbent developed between these two walls and has retained its medieval character to this day. It continued to be a strategically important place until the 19th century.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution "Derbent State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№С1097 - Ensemble Novodevichy Convent(Moscow)
Criteria: (i) (iv) (vi)
The Novodevichy Convent, located in the southwest of Moscow, was created during the 16th-17th centuries and was one of the links in the chain of monastic ensembles united in the city’s defense system. The monastery was closely connected with the political, cultural and religious life of Russia, as well as with the Moscow Kremlin. Representatives of the royal family, noble boyar and noble families were tonsured and buried here. The ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent is one of the masterpieces of Russian architecture (Moscow Baroque style), and its interiors, where valuable collections of paintings and works of decorative and applied art are stored, are distinguished by their rich interior decoration.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Mother of God of Smolensk Novodevichy Convent
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№ N1023rev - Natural complex of the Wrangel Island reserve
Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site, located above the Arctic Circle, includes the mountainous Wrangel Island (7.6 thousand sq. km) and Herald Island (11 sq. km) along with the adjacent waters of the Chukchi and East Siberian seas. Since this area was not covered by the powerful Quaternary glaciation, there is very high biodiversity here. Wrangel Island is known for its huge walrus rookeries (one of the largest in the Arctic), as well as the highest density of polar bear maternity dens in the world. The area is important as a feeding ground for gray whales migrating here from California and as a nesting site for more than 50 species of birds, many of which are classified as rare and endangered. More than 400 species and varieties of vascular plants have been recorded on the island, that is, more than on any other Arctic island. Some of the living organisms found here are special island forms of those plants and animals that are widespread on the continent. About 40 species and subspecies of plants, insects, birds and animals are identified as endemic.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution State Nature Reserve "Wrangel Island"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. S1187 - Struve geodetic arc
Transboundary object: Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia
Criteria: (ii) (iii) (vi)
The “Struve Arc” is a chain of triangulation points stretching for 2820 km across ten European countries from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea. These observation reference points were established in the period 1816-1855. astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (aka Vasily Yakovlevich Struve), who thus made the first reliable measurement of a large segment of the earth's meridian arc. This made it possible to accurately determine the size and shape of our planet, which was an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. This was an exceptional example of scientific cooperation between scientists from different countries and between reigning monarchs. Initially, the “arc” consisted of 258 geodetic “triangles” (polygons) with 265 main triangulation points. The World Heritage Site includes 34 such points (the best preserved to date), which are marked on the ground in a variety of ways, such as hollows carved into the rocks, iron crosses, cairns or specially installed obelisks.
Criteria: (ii) (iv)
The historical city of Yaroslavl, located approximately 250 km northeast of Moscow at the confluence of the Kotorosl River and the Volga, was founded in the 11th century. and subsequently developed into a large shopping center. It is known for its numerous churches from the 17th century, and as an outstanding example of the implementation of the urban planning reform carried out by decree of Empress Catherine the Great in 1763 throughout Russia. Although the city retained a number of remarkable historical buildings, it was later reconstructed in the classicist style based on a radial master plan. It also preserves items dating back to the 16th century. constructions of the Spassky Monastery - one of the oldest in the Upper Volga region, which arose at the end of the 12th century. on the site of a pagan temple, but rebuilt over time.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Official portal of the city of Yaroslavl
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№ N1234rev - Putorana Plateau
Criteria: (vii) (ix)
This object coincides with its borders with the Putorana State Nature Reserve, located in the northern part of Central Siberia, 100 km beyond the Arctic Circle. The World Heritage portion of this plateau contains a full range of subarctic and arctic ecosystems preserved in an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest-tundra, tundra and arctic desert systems, as well as a pristine lake with cold water And river systems. The main migration route of deer runs through the site, which is an exceptional, majestic and increasingly rare natural phenomenon.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "United Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves"
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№ N1299 - Lena Pillars Nature Park
Criteria: (viii)
The Lena Pillars Natural Park is formed by rock formations of rare beauty that reach a height of about 100 meters and are located along the banks of the Lena River in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). They arose in a sharply continental climate with differences in annual temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius (from -60°C in winter to +40°C in summer). The pillars are separated from each other by deep and steep ravines, partially filled with frost-covered rock fragments. The penetration of water from the surface accelerated the freezing process and contributed to frost weathering. This led to the deepening of the ravines between the pillars and their dispersal. The proximity of the river and its current are dangerous factors for the pillars. The site contains remains of a wide variety of Cambrian species.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Natural Park “Lena Pillars”
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. S981rev- Bulgarian Historical and Archaeological Complex
Criteria:(ii) (vi)
The facility is located on the banks of the Volga River south of the confluence of the Kama River and south of the capital of Tatarstan, the city of Kazan. It contains evidence of the medieval city of Bolgar, an ancient settlement of the Volga Bulgar people, which existed between the 7th and 15th centuries. and was in the 13th century. the first capital of the Golden Horde. Bolgar demonstrates the historical and cultural relationships and transformations in Eurasia over several centuries, which played a decisive role in the formation of civilizations, customs and cultural traditions. The site represents important evidence of historical continuity and cultural diversity. It is a symbolic reminder of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgars in 922 and remains a sacred place of pilgrimage for the Muslim Tatars.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve “Great Bolgar”
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
During the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, taking place these days in Cambodia, the UNESCO World Heritage List was replenished with 19 new items - 14 cultural and 5 natural sites. In addition, the boundaries of the three objects were expanded.
Today, the World Heritage List includes 981 sites in 160 countries party to the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage - 759 cultural, 193 natural and 29 mixed sites. During the 37th session, which will last until June 27, 5 natural sites in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.
Natural objects:
“Pamir Mountains” is the first natural site of Tajikistan on the World Heritage List. The total area of the park is more than 2.5 million hectares. It is located in the east of Tajikistan, in the center of the so-called Pamir mountain cluster, from which the highest mountain ranges of Eurasia radiate. In the eastern part of the object there are high mountain plateaus, and in the western part there are pointed peaks, the height of some of them exceeds 7 thousand meters. It is home to 170 rivers, more than 400 lakes and at least 1,085 glaciers, including the longest mountain valley glacier outside the polar regions. The park also serves as a habitat for rare and endangered species of birds and mammals in Tajikistan.
For example, the Marco Polo mountain sheep (Ovis ammon polii), snow leopard, snow leopard and Siberian mountain goat live here. Since strong earthquakes are common in this area, the park is sparsely populated and is practically uninfluenced by agriculture and permanent settlements. The park provides unique opportunities for research into the overlap and tectonics of crustal plates.
The facility with a total area of 714,566 hectares consists of two individual parts. In the east there is a rocky desert and a frozen volcanic plateau formed by black and red lava flows, in the west there is the Gran Desierto de Altar desert with a variety of dunes that constantly change in shape, some of which reach 200 m in height. The wandering dunes of various shapes here - linear, star-shaped and dome-shaped - are adjacent to dry granite massifs up to 650 m high, which, like islands, rise against the backdrop of a sandy sea, enhancing the amazing contrasts of this area. The massifs contain amazingly diverse communities of plants and animals, including some endemic species, such as the pronghorn Antilocapra americana sonoriensis, which lives only in the north of the Sonoran Desert and southwest Arizona, USA.
Another distinctive feature The object, emphasizing its exceptional beauty, are 10 huge deep craters of almost perfectly round shape, presumably formed as a result of eruptions and collapses. The unique combination of characteristics of the object determines not only its beauty, but is also of great scientific interest.
The 19,237-hectare site comprises an uninhabited area located at the highest point of Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily. Etna is the highest island mountain in the Mediterranean and the most active stratovolcano in the world. It has been established that the history of eruptions of this volcano goes back 500 thousand years, and there is documentary evidence of Etna’s volcanic activity for at least the last 2700 years. Etna's almost continuous volcanic activity continues to influence the development of volcanology, geophysics and other geosciences. The volcano provides the basis for important terrestrial ecosystems and some endemic plant and animal species.
Etna's activity has made it a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes. With a range of diverse and visible volcanic features, such as summit craters, ash cones, lava sheets and a caldera known as the Valle de Bove, the site has become an important location for research and educational activities.
The property, which is the world's only coastal desert, includes an area of more than 3 million hectares and a buffer zone of 899,500 hectares. There are extensive dune fields formed under the influence of fogs, and two dune systems stand out: on top of older, semi-fixed sands, there are younger mobile dunes. The peculiarity of the object is that its dunes are formed by sands brought by rivers, ocean currents and wind from areas remote from the coast, located thousands of kilometers away.
The site also contains coastal lowlands and pebble fields, rocky hills rising above the sands, coastal lagoons, dry rivers and other types of landscape, together creating an exceptionally beautiful spectacle. The main source of water in the Namib Desert is fog, which has created a completely unique environment in which endemic species of invertebrates, reptiles and mammals live, capable of adapting to constant changes in microclimate and ecological niches.
The object with a total area of 606,833 hectares includes several parts: the Tomur peak (Victory Peak), the Kalajun steppe, the Xueling ridge, the Bayanbruksky reserve and Bogdo-Ula. They are part of the world's largest mountain system, the Tien Shan, located in Central Asia. Xinjiang - Tien Shan has unique physical and geographical characteristics and is distinguished by picturesque landscapes, including amazing mountain peaks crowned with snow and ice, forests and meadows that have not been touched by human hands, clear rivers and lakes, and red rock canyons. Next to them are vast desert areas, which creates a striking visual contrast between zones of heat and cold, dry and humid climates, desert and abundance of life.
The relief and ecosystems of the object have reached us since the Pliocene era and represent unique monument continuous biological and ecological evolutionary processes. The site also includes part of one of the largest high-altitude deserts in the world, the Taklamakan, known for its giant sand dunes and severe sandstorms. In addition, Xinjiang Tianshan serves as an important habitat for endemic and relict plant species, some of which are rare and endangered.
