10 cultural and natural heritage sites that demonstrate the wonder of the world
Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places such extraordinary and diverse as the wilds of the Serengeti in East Africa, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage. -UNESCO website
Sometimes I am astounded by how little we have advanced from ancient civilizations.
You would think in an age of self-driving cars and face transplants, that we as humans would have figured out how to live amongst each other peacefully. Perhaps not collaborating on all efforts, but at least respecting others rights and humanity. Unfortunately, we aren’t there yet.
I realize that is painting with an overly broad brush. I get it, we live in a scary world. We can’t be naive about the dangers around us. However, we need to rise above fear and ignorance.
Wars and violence against humans is horrific. Also heartbreaking is the destruction of cultural and natural heritage. Even if cultural places or objects represent something you disagree with personally, they are a piece of history. A history we could and should learn from.
(See Related: Embracing compassion and respect: The Golden Rule across the world)
Seeing destruction of museum pieces by hate-filled people inspired this month’s theme of stewardship. It is also a nod of acknowledgment that our environment is suffering from use and abuse. I want to thank the people and organizations that work to protect and respect the world. A world that is constantly changing.
(See Related: Stewardship is all around you, just take a look and then take action)
I want to expose you to a few sites that are identified as cultural and natural heritage of universal value, including some that are in danger of being lost forever. We have all heard about Stonehenge in England and the Great Wall of China, but there are many wonderful symbols of civilizations past and present.
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It encourages the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world. It does this through its World Heritage List. There are currently 1,052 properties on the list.
Prospective sites are nominated by the country they reside in. Through an administrative process, a site may be included on the list if it is of outstanding universal value and meets at least 1 of 10 criteria.
Here is a list of a mere 10 instances of cultural and natural heritage. Refer to the full list to be enthralled with the beauty of the world.
Cultural and natural heritage sites you should know about
1. Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna. Credit: SashaCoachman CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where: Libya
What: Leptis Magna was one of the most beautiful cities of the Roman Empire. It had public monuments, a harbor, shops and residential areas.
It is on the “in danger” list due to instability affecting the country.
Why on the list:
- Masterpiece of human genius.
- Demonstrate an important interchange of human values.
- Unique/exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization.
2. Niokolo-Koba National Park
Niokolo-Koba National Park. Credit: Niels Broekzitter CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where: Senegal
What: Its unique ecosystems include major waterways, gallery forests, herbaceous savanna, floodplains, ponds, dry forests, rocky slopes and hills, and barren bowés. The ecosystems are home to a large variety of animals including elands, chimpanzees, lions, leopards, elephants, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, in addition to 1,500 plant species.
It is on the “in danger” list due to poaching, bush fires, the premature drying up of ponds and their invasion by plants.
Why on the list:
- Contain the important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity.
3. Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley. Credit:Public domain, via Pixabay
Where: Nepal
What: This is a grouping of 7 monuments: Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan, Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, the Hindu temples of Pashupati, and Changu Narayan.
This area of multi-ethnic people shows a unique coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Why on the list:
- Unique/exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization.
- Outstanding example of building, ensemble, or landscape displaying a significant stage in human history.
- Associated with events, traditions, ideas, or beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
4. Dinosaur Provincial Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park. Credit: Public domain, via Pixabay
Where: Alberta, Canada
What: This site contains important fossil discoveries from the Age of Reptiles, dating back around 75 million years ago. Paleontologists have been fortunate to find more than 150 complete skeletons that reside in more than 30 museums.
Why on the list:
- Superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
- Outstanding examples representing major stages of earth’s history.
Link to Dinosaur Provincial Park gallery
5. Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Belize Coral Reef. Credit: Andy Blackledge CC BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where: Caribbean Sea off coast of Belize
What: This system includes 7 sites including tolls, sand cays, mangrove forests, lagoons and estuaries. It is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere housing a large collection of reef types.
The areas are home to:
- a diversity of top predators on land, sea, and the air
- 178 terrestrial plants
- 246 taxa of marine flora
- 500 species of fish
- 65 scleractinian coral
- 45 hydroids
- 350 molluscs
It is on the “in danger” list due to a number of issues including: climate change risks of coral bleaching, hurricanes, sea level rise, over harvesting of marine resources, coastal development, tourism, industrial development, exploration, and exploitation.
Why on the list:
- Superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
- Represent significant ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.
- Contain the important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity.
Link to Belize barrier reef videos
6. Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines
Bochnia Salt Mine. Credit: Geniu CC BY-SA 3.0, via Czech Wikipedia
Where: Poland
What: The mines include hundreds of kilometers of galleries with works of art, underground chapels, and statues sculpted into the salt.
It depicts the historic stages of development in mining techniques from the 13th to the 20th centuries. It also displays the social and religious traditions of the times.
Why on the list:
- Outstanding example of building, ensemble, or landscape displaying a significant stage in human history.
Link to Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines gallery
7. Ancient City of Damascus
Damascus. Credit: Ai@ce CC BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where: Syrian Arab Republic
What: Damascus is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the World.
Acting as a cultural and commercial center at intersection of Africa and Asia. Inhabitants have included Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic civilizations and their unique aesthetic achievements.
It is on the “in danger” list due to instability affecting the country.
Why on the list:
- Masterpiece of human genius.
- Demonstrate an important interchange of human values.
- Unique/exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization.
- Outstanding example of building, ensemble, or landscape displaying a significant stage in human history.
- Associated with events, traditions, ideas, or beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
8. Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus
Tadrart Acacus. Credit: Roberto DAngelo Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Where: Libya
What: The site includes thousands of cave paintings dating from 12,000 B.C. to A.D. 100. The images show how life has changed for humans, flora, and fauna over thousands of years.
It is on the “in danger” list due to instability in the area.
Why on the list:
- Unique/exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization.
Link to Tadrart Acacus gallery
(See Related: A beginner’s guide to rock art: Petroglyphs, pictographs, and geoglyphs)
9. Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave. Credit: Tirin CC BY-SA 3.0, via English Wikipedia
Where: Kentucky, USA
What: It is the world’s largest network of natural caves and underground passageways. The 285 miles of passageways display the history and geological processes of the Earth. It is home to 130 species of flora and fauna including 14 species of troglobites and troglophiles known to only exist here.
Why on the list:
- Superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
- Outstanding examples representing major stages of earth’s history.
- Contain the important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity.
Link to Mammoth Cave National Park gallery
10. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
Sumatran Rhinoceros. Credit: International Rhino Foundation CC BY-2.0
Where: Indonesia
What: This area is made up of 3 national parks: Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. It has areas showing the biogeographic evolution of the island.
The protected area is home to:
- 10,000 plant species, including 17 endemic genera
- 200 mammal species, many of which are not found elsewhere
- 580 bird species of which 465 are resident and 21 are endemic
It is on the “in danger” list due to poaching, illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and plans to build roads through the site.
Why on the list:
- Superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
- Represent significant ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.
- Contain the important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity.
Link to Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra gallery
Appreciating our cultural and natural heritage
Pretty cool, huh? Such a mixture of value strewn everywhere. I am sure you have heard of some of the areas, but not others. As the world gets smaller there is much we still don’t know. A seemingly endless supply for our curiosity.
There is a vast array of culture and heritage in the world. Some is sadly lost or on the verge of being lost. That heritage belongs to all of us as citizens of the world. We need to take our responsibility as stewards seriously. It can teach us. It can inspire us.
(See Related: Curious about uncontacted tribes? What you should know)
(See Related: How to read Egyptian hieroglyphs: 10 tips for the beginner)
(See Related: 9 muses to inspire you)
I hope you have enjoyed the month of stewardship. I hope it causes you to stop and think. What can you further appreciate or support with your resources? It is such a rich world we live in, be thankful.
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Resources
Mammoth Cave in 2016 from National Park Service
