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What is a World Heritage Site?

O. Wallace
O. Wallace

A World Heritage Site is a cultural or natural site, monument, city or geographical habitat that is deemed irreplaceable and threatened, and thus deserving of protection and preservation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO believes that many cultural and natural sites provide immeasurable benefits to mankind and should be protected and maintained at all costs. These precious features, either man-made or naturally occurring, face the threats of aging, modernization, globalization or the ravages of man, through industrialization or war.

Many countries are unable to protect or maintain a World Heritage Site for many reasons. Either there is not the public or governmental impetus to make preservation a priority, or there may not be adequate financial resources available. Wars can damage these areas irreparably, as well as expansion or cultural shifts.

The Great Wall of China is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Great Wall of China is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

World Heritage Sites may be in danger because a country does not have the technical or scientific expertise to salvage an historic building or protect a particular habitat that is home to endangered species. UNESCO will categorize a place in this way to assist in providing funding, increasing public awareness worldwide and the expertise needed to preserve the site. In 1972, UNESCO held the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which laid out criteria concerning naming World Heritage Site, as well as its goals to assist countries in maintaining these places.

Located in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

UNESCO breaks down what it considers a World Heritage Site into two categories: cultural heritage and natural heritage. Cultural heritage includes monuments, which encompasses architectural sites, cave dwellings, and other archaeological structures. In addition to monuments, cultural heritage includes groups of buildings or entire cities. They must have an historical value, and be aesthetically unique and/or beautiful. Natural heritage includes naturally occurring features which are unique and/or scientifically important, as well as geographical features which are habitats that are home to species that may be endangered or natural sites which don’t occur elsewhere.

The historic center of Salzburg in Austria is one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Europe.
The historic center of Salzburg in Austria is one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Europe.

Funding for UNESCO’s programs come primarily from required dues from member nations in addition to the sale of publications and donations. Their programs educate nations how to identify, appreciate and set up programs to foster preservation and conservation. It also maintains a list of World Heritage in Danger which includes all the sites by country.

The Great Barrier Reef, a coral reef like this one, is a World Heritage Site.
The Great Barrier Reef, a coral reef like this one, is a World Heritage Site.

The List includes the Great Barrier Reef of Australia; the Historic Center of Salzburg, Angkor, Cambodia; Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada; The Great Wall of China; the Old City of Dubrovnik, Croatia and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. There are hundreds of others sites which have been named a World Heritage Site on the list, and additions continue to be made every year.

Discussion Comments

anon159697

@ShadowGenius: Agreed. Mankind does need a healthy dose of guilt and horror of what they have done. However, World heritage sites are a collection of sites that radiate magnificence, wonder and beauty. The Colosseum and the Pyramids do suggest that maybe ancient civilisation was not actually that savage and "dumb".

ShadowGenius

@Renegade

Then I raise this question: why shouldn't monuments remind us of our own capability for evil? Doesn't this keep us from making the same mistakes? The fact that people all over the world wear a crucifix (a symbol of torture and death) just goes to show that the things we hold as important are often that way because they remind us of our need for redemption from the calamities of the past.

Renegade

@FitzMaurice

Both the coliseum and the Aztec pyramids are poor examples of world heritage sites. Here's why: they were used to slaughter a huge number of people and animals. Such places are magnificent, but are more of a reminder of the horrors of mankind than of our greatness.

FitzMaurice

@Armas1313

I think that places like the native structures in Guatemala and Mexico should hold greater significance. They show that mankind doesn't need western ideals to advance itself.

Armas1313

I think that the pantheon and coliseum should be considered world heritage sites. They symbolize the cradles of western civilization, which has come to have a profound impact on the world as a whole.

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    • The Great Wall of China is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
      By: jjuncadella
      The Great Wall of China is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Located in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
      By: Alexander
      Located in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • The historic center of Salzburg in Austria is one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Europe.
      By: borisb17
      The historic center of Salzburg in Austria is one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Europe.
    • The Great Barrier Reef, a coral reef like this one, is a World Heritage Site.
      By: Richard Carey
      The Great Barrier Reef, a coral reef like this one, is a World Heritage Site.
    • Part of the Forbidden City, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
      By: Ilia Torlin
      Part of the Forbidden City, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • The caves at Lascaux, which were painted by prehistoric artists, are a World Heritage Site.
      By: Bayes Ahmed
      The caves at Lascaux, which were painted by prehistoric artists, are a World Heritage Site.