UNESCO stands for The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. That’s a mouthful of words just to say . . . these are sights around the world that have cultural and historic value that are being preserved for the future. They are exceptional places that don’t belong to a particular place or country but to the people of the world.
The list of sites is varied and interesting to every traveler, no matter what your interests are. I guarantee you will find a place to visit. Some sites are natural formations such as a rainforest while others are cultural locations. A small number (39 to be exact) have the designation of mixed. These sites have a cultural element in a natural setting, such as Aboriginal rock painting in Australia. Some sites, sadly, have the designation of World Heritage in Danger. This is an alert to the international community that the site is diminishing in the qualities that initially put it on the list.
The first 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites were given this designation in 1978 and are still some of the greatest places to travel.
The Galapagos Islands
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Park
Nahanni National Park
City of Quito
Simien National Park
Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia
Aachen Cathedral
Krakow’s historic center
Wieliczka and Bochnia Salt Mines
Island of Goree
Yellowstone National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Now, 45 years later, there are 1199 sites around the world. They are varied and interesting and worth traveling to–or making a part of a trip that’s already planned.