The island of Antigua is host to a group of Georgian-style naval buildings and other structures within a walled enclosure. Generations of African slaves built the dockyard for the British Navy, which used it to protect sugar cane planters during a time when European countries were battling for control of the Eastern Caribbean.
Antigua naval dockyard and related archaeological sites, Antigua and Barbuda —
The island of Antigua is host to a group of Georgian-style naval buildings and other structures within a walled enclosure. Generations of African slaves built the dockyard for the British Navy, which used it to protect sugar cane planters during a time when European countries were battling for control of the Eastern Caribbean.
Nicola & Reg Murphy via UNESCO
Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer in collaboration with other artists, the Pampulha Modern Ensemble was the heart of a 1940 garden city project created in Belo Horizonte, the capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The center, which combined architecture, landscape design and sculpture, included a casino, a golf and yacht club and a church.
Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Brazil —
Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer in collaboration with other artists, the Pampulha Modern Ensemble was the heart of a 1940 garden city project created in Belo Horizonte, the capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The center, which combined architecture, landscape design and sculpture, included a casino, a golf and yacht club and a church.
Marcilio Gazzinelli via UNESCO
On the southeastern tip of the island of Newfoundland, a narrow strip of coastal cliffs dating back more than 500 million years contains the oldest known collection of large fossils in the world. The fossils mark the appearance of biologically complex organisms.
Mistaken Point, Canada —
On the southeastern tip of the island of Newfoundland, a narrow strip of coastal cliffs dating back more than 500 million years contains the oldest known collection of large fossils in the world. The fossils mark the appearance of biologically complex organisms.
Barrett & Mackay Photography/Mis
Hubei Shennongjia protects Central China's largest remaining primary forests. It's also the habitat for the golden or snub-nosed monkey (shown here), the Chinese giant salamander, the clouded leopard, the Asian black bear and many other rare animal species.<br />
Hubei Shennongjia, China —
Hubei Shennongjia protects Central China's largest remaining primary forests. It's also the habitat for the golden or snub-nosed monkey (shown here), the Chinese giant salamander, the clouded leopard, the Asian black bear and many other rare animal species.
Chinese Academy of Science via U
Dating from the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD, the Luoyue people of southwest China are depicted in 38 rock art sites that illustrate their life and rituals, which include the region's once prominent bronze drum culture. These are the only remains of that culture.
Zuojiang Huashan rock art cultural landscape, China —
Dating from the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD, the Luoyue people of southwest China are depicted in 38 rock art sites that illustrate their life and rituals, which include the region's once prominent bronze drum culture. These are the only remains of that culture.
Zhu Qiuping via UNESCO
The walled city of Philippi, whose remains are in present-day Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, was founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II and has a Hellenistic theater (shown here), funerary heroon (temple) and Roman forum. Following a visit by the Apostle Paul in 49-50 AD, it became a center for Christians.
Archaeological Site of Philippi, Greece —
The walled city of Philippi, whose remains are in present-day Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, was founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II and has a Hellenistic theater (shown here), funerary heroon (temple) and Roman forum. Following a visit by the Apostle Paul in 49-50 AD, it became a center for Christians.
Achilleas Savvopoulos/Hellenic M
In the heart of the Himalayan range in the northern Indian state of Sikkim, Khangchendzonga National Park is home to Mount Khangchendzonga, the world's third highest peak, as well as valleys, glaciers, plains and lakes. The indigenous people of Sikkim have worship practices connected to the mountain.
Khangchendzonga National Park, India —
In the heart of the Himalayan range in the northern Indian state of Sikkim, Khangchendzonga National Park is home to Mount Khangchendzonga, the world's third highest peak, as well as valleys, glaciers, plains and lakes. The indigenous people of Sikkim have worship practices connected to the mountain.
FEWMD via UNESCO
This archipelago, part of a submerged mountain range in Mexico, consists of the four remote islands of Socorro (shown here), San Benedicto, Roca Partida and Clarión and their surroundings waters. The four islands are habitats for seabirds and other wildlife, and whales, dolphins and sharks live in the surrounding waters.
Archipiélago de Revillagigedo, Mexico —
This archipelago, part of a submerged mountain range in Mexico, consists of the four remote islands of Socorro (shown here), San Benedicto, Roca Partida and Clarión and their surroundings waters. The four islands are habitats for seabirds and other wildlife, and whales, dolphins and sharks live in the surrounding waters.
Jose Antonio Soriano/GECI via UN
Constructed with basalt and coral boulder walls, Nan Madol is a series of 99 artificial islets off the southeast coast of the island Pohnpei. The islets protect the remains of stone palaces, temples, tombs and residences, built between 1200 and 1500 CE, that represent the ceremonial center of the Saudeleur dynasty.
Nan Madol: Ceremonial center of Eastern Micronesia —
Constructed with basalt and coral boulder walls, Nan Madol is a series of 99 artificial islets off the southeast coast of the island Pohnpei. The islets protect the remains of stone palaces, temples, tombs and residences, built between 1200 and 1500 CE, that represent the ceremonial center of the Saudeleur dynasty.
Osamu Kataoka via Unesco
Built during the Neolithic and Bronze Age in the Andalusia region of Spain out of large stone blocks, the Menga and Viera dolmens and the Tolos of El Romeral are important architectural examples of European prehistory. They are guarded by two natural monuments: the Pe?a de los Enamorados and El Torcal mountainous formations.
Antequera dolmens site, Spain —
Built during the Neolithic and Bronze Age in the Andalusia region of Spain out of large stone blocks, the Menga and Viera dolmens and the Tolos of El Romeral are important architectural examples of European prehistory. They are guarded by two natural monuments: the Pe?a de los Enamorados and El Torcal mountainous formations.
Javier Perez Gonzalez/Conjunto A
The cultural traditions of Neanderthals over tens of thousands of years are evident in this site on Gibraltar. The archaeological and paleontological deposits here show a tradition of hunting birds and marine animals for food and using feathers for ornamentation.
Gorham's Cave complex, United Kingdom —
The cultural traditions of Neanderthals over tens of thousands of years are evident in this site on Gibraltar. The archaeological and paleontological deposits here show a tradition of hunting birds and marine animals for food and using feathers for ornamentation.
Clive Finlayson/Gibraltar Museum
The architectural work of Le Corbusier is an "outstanding contribution to the modern movement." The UNESCO-designated site covers 17 spots in seven countries. Built over the course of a half century, Le Corbusier's works include the Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut in France (shown here) and the house of Dr. Curutchet in La Plata, Argentina.<br />
Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, multi-nation site —
The architectural work of Le Corbusier is an "outstanding contribution to the modern movement." The UNESCO-designated site covers 17 spots in seven countries. Built over the course of a half century, Le Corbusier's works include the Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut in France (shown here) and the house of Dr. Curutchet in La Plata, Argentina.
AONDH via UNESCO
UNESCO's newest World Heritage Sites

Story highlights

UNESCO has named new World Heritage Sites around the world

China, India and Spain all have new sites on the exclusive list

CNN  — 

A narrow, 10-mile strip of Canadian coastal cliffs dating back more than 500 million years contains the oldest known collection of large fossils in the world. Located on the southeastern tip of the island of Newfoundland, the Mistaken Point cliffs were added to the exclusive UNESCO World Heritage List on July 17, 2016.

A series of 99 artificial islets built off the the southeast coast of the Micronesian island of Pohnpei sometime between 1200 and 1500 AD were also added to the list. The ruins on the islets were the ceremonial center of the Saudeleur dynasty, and the structures are evidence of the religious and social practices of the period.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee inscribed 21 sites on the World Heritage List during its annual meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, from July 10 to 17.

The committee cut short its session because of the United Nations security protocol put in place following the coup attempt in Turkey. It will meet in Paris in October to discuss the rest of its agenda.

The United Nations’ cultural body meets annually to name natural, cultural and sites of mixed significance around the world to its prestigious preservation list, which now has 1,052 sites considered to be places of “outstanding universal value.”

The inscribed sites must meet one or more of 10 criteria such as “representing a masterpiece of human creative genius,” containing “exceptional natural beauty” or being an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement.

UNESCO has been adding sites to the World Heritage List since 1978.

Nations often spend years developing pitches for inclusion on the list because of its significant cultural cachet and the fame and resources it can attract to sites in need of restoration and protection. They must convince the UNESCO committee that they will protect their sites and support them financially.

Libya’s sites added to ‘in danger’ list

The World Heritage Committee also added several existing sites to the List of World Heritage in Danger because of armed conflict, natural disasters, lack of economic resources and other concerns.

The new Micronesian World Heritage site was also added to the list in danger because of nature’s impact on the stone structures.

All five Libyan World Heritage sites were added to the list “because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses,” according to a UNESCO press statement.

The five sites are the Archaeological Site of Cyrene, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna, Archaeological Site of Sabratha, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus and the Old Town of Ghadamès.

The World Heritage Committee also added Old Towns of Djenné in Mali due to insecurity in the country and Uzbekistan’s Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz to the list in danger, because of “the over-development of tourist infrastructure in the site.”

At the same time, Georgia’s Historical Monuments of Mtskheta site was removed from the list in danger in recognition of Georgia’s efforts to improve the safeguarding and management of the site, which had been on the list since 2009.

The site includes three Medieval churches, the Holy Cross Monastery of Jvari, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Samtavro Monastery and major archaeological remains.

The United States had nominated a collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s structures this year. The committee referred it back to the United States with a request for additional information before it’s resubmitted for examination.

The United States doesn’t have much sway over UNESCO decisions anymore; the government withdrew its dues and other financial contributions to UNESCO in 2011. That’s because the agency admitted the Palestinian government as a full member representing a country.

After failing to pay its dues for two years, the United States lost UNESCO voting rights in 2013, per the agency’s rules.

Go to whc.unesco.org/en/newproperties to learn more about the newly named sites.

New World Heritage List sites

Here’s this year’s full list of newly inscribed sites:

Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua naval dockyard and related archaeological sites

Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan, Switzerland: The architectural work of Le Corbusier, an outstanding contribution to the modern movement

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia: Ste?ci – medieval tombstones

Brazil: Pampulha Modern Ensemble

Canada: Mistaken Point

Chad: Ennedi Massif natural and cultural landscape

China: Hubei Shennongjia

China: Zuojiang Huashan rock art cultural landscape

Greece: Archaeological site of Philippi

India: Archaeological site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanada University) at Nalanda, Bihar

India: Khangchendzonga National Park

Iran: Lut Desert

Iran: Persian Qanat

Iraq: The Ahwar of southern Iraq: Refuge of biodiversity and the relict landscape of the Mesopotamian cities

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan: Western Tien-Shan

Mexico: Archipiélago de Revillagigedo

Micronesia: Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia

Spain: Antequera dolmens site

Sudan: Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park

Turkey: Archaeological site of Ani

United Kingdom: Gorham’s Cave complex

UNESCO’s new List of World Heritage in Danger sites

Libya: Archaeological site of Cyrene

Libya: Archaeological site of Leptis Magna

Libya: Archaeological site of Sabratha

Libya: Rock-art sites of Tadrart Acacus

Libya: Old Town of Ghadamès

Mali: Old Town of Djenné

Micronesia: Nan Madol: Ceremonial center of Eastern Micronesia

Uzbekistan: Historic center of Shakhrisyabz