<strong>Kulangsu Island, China: </strong>Located near Xiamen City, the small pedestrian-only island of Kulangsu was a frontier stronghold for many countries looking to enter Chinese mainland after the First Opium War (1839-1842). Only covering an area of 1.88 square kilometers, its heritage buildings are well-preserved, offering a unique example of a modernized international community in the beginning of the 20th century.
Kulangsu Island, China: Located near Xiamen City, the small pedestrian-only island of Kulangsu was a frontier stronghold for many countries looking to enter Chinese mainland after the First Opium War (1839-1842). Only covering an area of 1.88 square kilometers, its heritage buildings are well-preserved, offering a unique example of a modernized international community in the beginning of the 20th century.
UNESCO
<strong>Yazd, Iran: </strong>The city of<strong> </strong>Yazd, located in the middle of the Iranian plateau, is 270 kilometers southeast of Isfahan. "The earthen architecture of Yazd has escaped the modernization that destroyed many traditional earthen towns, retaining its traditional districts, the qanat system, traditional houses, bazars, hammams, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples and the historic garden of Dolat-abad," says UNESCO of the new World Heritage Site.
Yazd, Iran: The city of Yazd, located in the middle of the Iranian plateau, is 270 kilometers southeast of Isfahan. "The earthen architecture of Yazd has escaped the modernization that destroyed many traditional earthen towns, retaining its traditional districts, the qanat system, traditional houses, bazars, hammams, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples and the historic garden of Dolat-abad," says UNESCO of the new World Heritage Site.
Ali Jadidi/UNESCO
<strong>Aphrodisias, Turkey:</strong> The ancient city of Aphrodisias sits in southwestern Turkey, in the fertile valley of the Dandalas River. It's one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods in Turkey. According to UNESCO, the site's buildings are remarkable not only for the preservation of their architecture, but also for the many inscriptions, statues, reliefs and other objects associated with them.
Aphrodisias, Turkey: The ancient city of Aphrodisias sits in southwestern Turkey, in the fertile valley of the Dandalas River. It's one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods in Turkey. According to UNESCO, the site's buildings are remarkable not only for the preservation of their architecture, but also for the many inscriptions, statues, reliefs and other objects associated with them.
UNESCO
<strong>Assumption Cathedral, Sviyazhsk, Russia: </strong>The town of<strong> </strong>Sviyazhsk was founded on May 24, 1551 by Russian Czar Ivan the Terrible, on a small island. Among its remaining heritage buildings is the historic Assumption Cathedral.
Assumption Cathedral, Sviyazhsk, Russia: The town of Sviyazhsk was founded on May 24, 1551 by Russian Czar Ivan the Terrible, on a small island. Among its remaining heritage buildings is the historic Assumption Cathedral.
UNESCO
<strong>Swabian Jura Caves, Germany: </strong>Situated within the valleys of the Ach and Lone rivers in Baden-Württemberg (southwest Germany), this series of six caves has revealed some of the world's oldest ice age art, dating back to the early Upper Palaeolithic (Aurignacian) period -- between 43,000 to 33,000 years ago. Other findings include personal ornaments, musical instruments and small figurines carved from mammoth ivory.
Swabian Jura Caves, Germany: Situated within the valleys of the Ach and Lone rivers in Baden-Württemberg (southwest Germany), this series of six caves has revealed some of the world's oldest ice age art, dating back to the early Upper Palaeolithic (Aurignacian) period -- between 43,000 to 33,000 years ago. Other findings include personal ornaments, musical instruments and small figurines carved from mammoth ivory.
UNESCO
<strong>Kujataa,</strong> <strong>Denmark: </strong>This sub-Arctic farming landscape is located in Greenland's south. Significance? UNESCO says the landscape represents the earliest introduction of farming to the Arctic, and the Norse expansion of settlement beyond Europe.
Kujataa, Denmark: This sub-Arctic farming landscape is located in Greenland's south. Significance? UNESCO says the landscape represents the earliest introduction of farming to the Arctic, and the Norse expansion of settlement beyond Europe.
UNESCO
<strong>Okinoshima, Japan:</strong> The sacred Island of Okinoshima and associated sites in Japan's Munakata region, off the coast of Kyushu island, were singled out by UNESCO for being an exceptional example of the tradition of worship of a sacred island. The island's archeological sites are virtually intact, and provide a "chronological record of how the rituals performed there changed from the 4th to the 9th centuries."
Okinoshima, Japan: The sacred Island of Okinoshima and associated sites in Japan's Munakata region, off the coast of Kyushu island, were singled out by UNESCO for being an exceptional example of the tradition of worship of a sacred island. The island's archeological sites are virtually intact, and provide a "chronological record of how the rituals performed there changed from the 4th to the 9th centuries."
UNESCO
<strong>Hebron Old City: </strong>Hebron's Old City is home to one of the region's most contested places: the Cave of the Patriarchs, also known as the Ibrahimi Mosque. It is regarded as sacred by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Israel has <a href="https://www.chinalucky8.com/2017/07/07/middleeast/hebron-shrine-unesco-vote/index.html">denounced UNESCO's decision</a> to inscribe Hebron as a Palestinian World Heritage Site.
Hebron Old City: Hebron's Old City is home to one of the region's most contested places: the Cave of the Patriarchs, also known as the Ibrahimi Mosque. It is regarded as sacred by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Israel has denounced UNESCO's decision to inscribe Hebron as a Palestinian World Heritage Site.
Firas AL_Hashlamoun/UNESCO
<strong>Venetian Works of Defense -- Croatia, Italy, Montenegro:</strong> The Venetian Works of Defense, built between the 15th and 17th centuries, consists of 15 components spanning more than 1,000 kilometers between the Lombardy region of Italy and the eastern Adriatic Coast. These fortifications protected the Republic of Venice from other European powers to the northwest and the sea routes and ports in the Adriatic Sea to the Levant. Pictured is the fortified city of Kotor, Montenegro.
Venetian Works of Defense -- Croatia, Italy, Montenegro: The Venetian Works of Defense, built between the 15th and 17th centuries, consists of 15 components spanning more than 1,000 kilometers between the Lombardy region of Italy and the eastern Adriatic Coast. These fortifications protected the Republic of Venice from other European powers to the northwest and the sea routes and ports in the Adriatic Sea to the Levant. Pictured is the fortified city of Kotor, Montenegro.
UNESCO
<strong>Khomani Cultural Landscape, South Africa: </strong>Located at the border with Botswana and Namibia, this large expanse of sand contains evidence of human occupation from the Stone Age to the present and is associated with the culture of the Khomani San people and the strategies that allowed them to adapt to harsh desert conditions, says UNESCO.
Khomani Cultural Landscape, South Africa: Located at the border with Botswana and Namibia, this large expanse of sand contains evidence of human occupation from the Stone Age to the present and is associated with the culture of the Khomani San people and the strategies that allowed them to adapt to harsh desert conditions, says UNESCO.
UNESCO
<strong>Landscapes of Dauria, Mongolia/Russia: </strong>The landscapes of Dauria extend from eastern Mongolia into Russian Siberia and north-eastern China. "Cyclical climate changes, with distinct dry and wet periods lead to a wide diversity of species and ecosystems of global significance," says UNESCO of the site.
Landscapes of Dauria, Mongolia/Russia: The landscapes of Dauria extend from eastern Mongolia into Russian Siberia and north-eastern China. "Cyclical climate changes, with distinct dry and wet periods lead to a wide diversity of species and ecosystems of global significance," says UNESCO of the site.
UNESCO
<strong>Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia: </strong>The archeological site of Cambodia's Sambor Prei, has been identified as Ishanapura, the capital of the Chenla Empire that flourished in the late 6th and early 7th centuries CE. "The art and architecture developed here became models for other parts of the region and lay the ground for the unique Khmer style of the Angkor period," says UNESCO.
Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia: The archeological site of Cambodia's Sambor Prei, has been identified as Ishanapura, the capital of the Chenla Empire that flourished in the late 6th and early 7th centuries CE. "The art and architecture developed here became models for other parts of the region and lay the ground for the unique Khmer style of the Angkor period," says UNESCO.
So Sokun Theary/UNESCO
<strong>Qinghai Hoh Xil, China:</strong> Qinghai Hoh Xil, located in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is the largest and highest plateau in the world. "This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 meters above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year-round," says UNESCO."
Qinghai Hoh Xil, China: Qinghai Hoh Xil, located in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is the largest and highest plateau in the world. "This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 meters above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year-round," says UNESCO."
UNESCO
<strong>Taputapuatea, Ra'iatea Island: </strong>At the center of the "Polynesian Triangle," a vast portion of the Pacific Ocean and the last part of the globe to be settled by humans, this new UNESCO site includes two forested valleys, a portion of lagoon and coral reef and a strip of open ocean. "At the heart of the property is the Taputapuātea marae complex, a political, ceremonial and funerary center," says UNESCO.
Taputapuatea, Ra'iatea Island: At the center of the "Polynesian Triangle," a vast portion of the Pacific Ocean and the last part of the globe to be settled by humans, this new UNESCO site includes two forested valleys, a portion of lagoon and coral reef and a strip of open ocean. "At the heart of the property is the Taputapuātea marae complex, a political, ceremonial and funerary center," says UNESCO.
UNESCO
<strong>Mbanza Kongo, Angola: </strong>The town of Mbanza Kongo was the political and spiritual capital of the Kingdom of Kongo, one of the largest constituted states in Southern Africa from the 14th to 19th centuries. Mbanza Kongo illustrates, more than anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa, the profound changes caused by the introduction of Christianity and the arrival of the Portuguese into Central Africa [in the 15th century]."
Mbanza Kongo, Angola: The town of Mbanza Kongo was the political and spiritual capital of the Kingdom of Kongo, one of the largest constituted states in Southern Africa from the 14th to 19th centuries. Mbanza Kongo illustrates, more than anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa, the profound changes caused by the introduction of Christianity and the arrival of the Portuguese into Central Africa [in the 15th century]."
Joost De Raeymaeker/UNESCO
<strong>Tarnowskie Góry Lead-Silver-Zinc Mine, Poland: </strong>Located in Upper Silesia, in southern Poland, most of the site is situated underground while the surface mining topography features the remains of the 19th century steam water pumping station. "Tarnowskie Góry represents a significant contribution to the global production of lead and zinc," says UNESCO.
Tarnowskie Góry Lead-Silver-Zinc Mine, Poland: Located in Upper Silesia, in southern Poland, most of the site is situated underground while the surface mining topography features the remains of the 19th century steam water pumping station. "Tarnowskie Góry represents a significant contribution to the global production of lead and zinc," says UNESCO.
Piotr Gad/UNESCO
<strong>Lake District, UK: </strong>Northwest England's mountainous Lake District was among the new sites added to the list, becoming the UK's first national park to become a World Heritage property. "The combined work of nature and human activity has produced a harmonious landscape in which the mountains are mirrored in the lakes," says UNESCO's statement announcing the inscription.
Lake District, UK: Northwest England's mountainous Lake District was among the new sites added to the list, becoming the UK's first national park to become a World Heritage property. "The combined work of nature and human activity has produced a harmonious landscape in which the mountains are mirrored in the lakes," says UNESCO's statement announcing the inscription.
Nick Bodle/UNESCO
<strong>Valongo Wharf Archeological Site, Brazil: </strong> Located in central Rio de Janeiro, the wharf encompasses the entire Jornal do Comércio Square and is located in the former harbor area of Rio de Janeiro. An estimated 900,000 African slaves arrived in South America via Valongo from 1811 onwards.
Valongo Wharf Archeological Site, Brazil: Located in central Rio de Janeiro, the wharf encompasses the entire Jornal do Comércio Square and is located in the former harbor area of Rio de Janeiro. An estimated 900,000 African slaves arrived in South America via Valongo from 1811 onwards.
Milton Guran/UNESCO
<strong>Los Alerces, Argentina:</strong> The Los Alerces National park is located in northern Patagonia. "Successive glaciations have molded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes," says UNESCO of this new South American World Heritage Site.
Los Alerces, Argentina: The Los Alerces National park is located in northern Patagonia. "Successive glaciations have molded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes," says UNESCO of this new South American World Heritage Site.
Ricardo Villalba/UNESCO
<strong>Ahmedabad, India: </strong>The 600-year-old walled city of Ahmedabad has been recognized as a "UNESCO World Heritage Site," making it the first Indian city to be added to the coveted list. The rich culture of Ahmedabad's walled city, which was named in the early 1400s after Sultan Ahmed Shah, draws from its diverse history of Muslim, Hindu and Jain influences.
Ahmedabad, India: The 600-year-old walled city of Ahmedabad has been recognized as a "UNESCO World Heritage Site," making it the first Indian city to be added to the coveted list. The rich culture of Ahmedabad's walled city, which was named in the early 1400s after Sultan Ahmed Shah, draws from its diverse history of Muslim, Hindu and Jain influences.
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