UNESCO is the United Nations’ educational, scientific and cultural organisation. UNESCO was formed in November 1945, in London, England, with a founding membership of 37 countries. The aim of UNESCO, by way of it’s World Heritage Programme, is to award prizes to the world’s most outstanding cultural or natural sites, as they consider them of interest to the international community and wish to preserve them. The organisation’s first heritage list contained 12 sites and was compiled in 1978.
UNESCO’s head office is situated in Paris, France and the organisation has another 56 field offices situated across the world. As of 2011, the organisation consists of 195 member states and 8 associate members, who are represented by 22 state parties, which award prizes in 22 different categories every year. There are currently 936 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the world, 725 of which are cultural venues and 183 of which are natural wonders.
Nominated sites must be of outstanding universal interest and meet the criteria of at least one of the organisation’s ten selection criteria, which are divided into six categories for cultural sites and four categories for natural sites. Each nominated site is evaluated by the International Council of Monuments and Sites and the World Conservation Union.
The Essay on Cultural Heritage 2
Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Cultural heritage includes tangible culture (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts), intangible culture (such as folklore, traditions, ...
The organisation divides the world into five geographical zones, although some sites are listed as belonging to one geographical zone, when in fact they are actually situated in another part of the world. This is because the country which nominates the site is awarded the prize, rather than the location it is in, such as the U.K is awarded the Gough Island site, although Gough Island is in fact situated in the south Atlantic.
Over the years the organisation has chosen a myriad of areas of outstanding natural beauty, ancient monuments, architectural masterpieces, national parks, coastlines, eco systems, prehistoric rocks, archaelogical sites and even the entire country of the Vatican City State, as well as some unusual sites such as the entire Budapest Metrosystem in Hungary, the hydraulic boat lifts on Belgium’s Canal du Centre at Louvire, Canada’s entire Rideau Canal in Ottawa and several entire railway networks.
The country with the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is Italy with 47. The country with the greatest number of cultural sites is also Italy, with 44 sites.
The country with the greatest number of natural sites is a tie between Australia and the U.S.A, both of which have 12 natural sites. The geographical zone with the most sites is the North America / Europe zone, with 516 sites between them.
Below is a list of the organisations five zones, with number of sites, a list of the very first UNESCO World Heritage list compiled in 1978, followed by a list of the twenty countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The old part of Québec City is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the only remaining walled city in North America other than in Mexico. Walk through any of the four gates that surround the original town and feel transported into another time and place. Located high on a bluff overlooking the Saint Lawrence river, Vieux Québec is best enjoyed by foot. Alive with history, Basse-ville contains the 17th century Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church and at its heart, Place Royale. The historical market square is surrounded by restored 17th and 18th century buildings, housing chic boutiques and quaint restaurants for you to explore. After taking in the many museums and getting lost in the narrow lanes of the Old Town, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride to rest your tired feet while continuing your Belle Province tour. Don’t forget to visit the impressive parliament building located just outside the city’s walls and the 22 bronze statues of men and women who played an important role in the province’s history.
The Term Paper on Easter Island Pointing World Found
A Reaction To Clive Ponting? S A Green Reaction To Clive Ponting? S A Green History Of The World A Green History of the World has been very educational reading and has given me a new prospective on the environment. While I do disagree with some of Clive Pointing? s views I have learned a lot from his work. A Green History of the World was a very in-depth look at the past and the future of our ...
It doesn’t get more New York iconic than this. The 93 m (305 ft.) tall (from ground to torch) copper lady was a gift from the French people to the Americans as symbol of freedom and democracy. She was made in France, shipped to the USA, and assembled from 350 pieces in 1886. She was created by the commissioned French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and it is believed that his mistress and later wife was the model for the torso, and his mother for the face. Even the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel (yes, the dude who designed Eiffel tower and Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi) was involved in the project. It is possible to get up in the crown by climbing the stairs inside her, but you need to make reservation way ahead.
Mozambique Island is the cradle of African colonialism and so soaked in history that it’s deserved a UNESCO site. First came Arabian traders, and later the Portuguese. It became one of the central ports for the slave trade and was for a long time the capital of Portuguese East Africa, leaving the island with a density of colonial buildings not matched by many other places in Africa. What makes Mozambique Island further unique today, is that people are living in and among these decayed mansions, giving the island an almost squatter feel. Most of the historical sites are at the northern end, where the once cobbled streets are now sandy and potholed and the crumbling once-grand buildings stand neglected among bushes and shady trees. The southern end of the island is a densely populated shack town with easy going people. There are also several beaches around Mozambique Island, but they are mostly used by playing children and fishermen fixing their boats, but local guys will be happy to do boat tours to nearby islands. However, Mozambique Island’s charm is the old houses and laid back atmosphere.
Zimbabwe
Without actually holding any record, Victoria Falls is considered to be the greatest waterfall on the planet. Though its measurements are impressive – 107 m high, 1737 m wide and gushing out 1746 m³ of water every second – it is beaten in all categories by other falls. Angel Falls is 979 m high, Iguazu is 2700 m wide and 2407 m³ flows over Niagara Falls every second. But Victoira Falls is not about records, it’s just one of those places that have to be seen. The Zambezi River flows between Zimbabwe and Zambia acting as the natural border. Wide upriver, but suddenly plunges into a deep narrow chasm at Victoria Falls before it winds its way hidden at the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the rainy season (November to March) the falls are almost obscured in spray, and during dry season (April to October) and right after, large sections are almost dried up. But no matter which season you come, you will be blown away by its sheer size and beauty.
The Essay on Retaining Wall Site Building Quantities
Nature of professional work carried out Code of Training area I had to prepare an estimate for the 'Site Development Works' to the Garda district HQ. In Trim, Co. Meath. There is extensive excavation inclusive of an existing retaining wall; this is to provide a larger car parking facility. There is underpinning of an existing retaining wall to the rear of the site. An additional retaining wall is ...
Galapagos Islands are famous for their unique wildlife, which was the inspiration source for Darwin. But what will strike you the most are not the differences between the species on each island, but the fearless attitude the animals have. Due to the lack of serious predators the animals will hardly lift an eyebrow when visitors go ashore. You will get really close to iguanas, sea lions, tortoises and birds, though the crabs seem a bit shy. If not careful, you can easily end up stepping on the wildlife. All the islands offer different wildlife experiences, but a visit to islands like Santa Cruz (main island), Espanola, Floreana (both part of the southern loop) and North Seymour (part of the northern loop) will give you a good taste of this truly unique place. Though any visit to the Galapagos Islands will be pricey, it will be totally worth it
The mighty site of the Incas and Peru’s number one tourist attraction.
When it was first discovered by Hiram Bingham at the beginning of the 20th century the “lost city” was fully overgrown.
Since 2007 Machu Picchu is part of the “new seven wonders of the world list”. This event has created even more publicity for the site and even more people are now visiting. It is however still very much worth to visit the site, especially when you have a good guide who can explain you about the meaning of the buildings and stones.
The Essay on Galileo Year World Day
Galileo Galilei Galileo was a mathematician transformed into an astronomer. He created the modern telescope based on a primitive model that originated in Amsterdam. Galileo disproved Aristotle's fundamental principles of the universe, which had been excepted throughout the centuries as common knowledge. According to this theory, no change could ever take place in the heavens, because everything in ...
To experience Machu Picchu without too many people you should get there early. Take the first bus up the mountain or start hiking up the mountain even earlier in the night so that you can be there when it opens. This way you’ll even get there before the Inca Trail hikers.
Climbing Huayna Picchu (the mountain behind the site) and climbing Machu Picchu mountain itself give completely different views than known from the classic photos.
Geghard is probably the finest cave monastery in Armenia. It stands deep in a canyon and blends in with the surrounding cliffs. The complex is partly dug out of the mountainside with annexed buildings. It was supposedly founded in the 4th century but invading armies have left nothing from that time. The two cave churches and vestibules you see today are all from the 13th century. Above the main entrance to the churches is a 10 m passage which leads to a cave chapel that is fully carved out of the mountain and has amazing acoustics. A small peephole in the corner makes it possible to look into the cave chamber below (see picture).
The monastery got its name Geghardavank – meaning “the Monastery of the Spear” – since the spear that wounded Christ on the cross was kept here (the spear is now displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury).
Dubrovnik is the iconic Adriatic medieval walled city. In the Middle Ages it flourished in maritime trading as the city-state of Ragusa and was rivaling Venice. During the Yugoslavian war, in the beginning of the 90’s, it was sieged for seven month and got severe damaged by artillery attacks. Today Dubrovnik is again insane pretty and manicured to limit that it’s almost too much. Just to top it off, there are beaches (pebbles though, not sand) with the most crystal-clear water you can imagine, but screamingly cold. All this makes of course Dubrovnik to the perfect tourist magnet and the stream of tourist buses also seems never-ending, but it is still possible to find adorable corners, without being run over by sunburned tour group.
When you visit the Taj Mahal, it is obvious why the monument is on the list of The Seven Wonders of the World, and you’ll be amazed at how large the old mausoleum actually is. It took approx. 22 years to build it, and it was completed in the year of 1653. The Taj Mahal was built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to the couple’s 14th child. Her coffin was placed in the middle of the monument, and when the Emperor died approx. 20 years later, his coffin was placed next to hers. So besides that it is a beautiful and impressive building, it also has a romantic history. There are always lots of tourists, but the area is so big that it does not spoil the experience.
The Term Paper on Wars Throughout Time World War
Sometime during the course of World War II, the United States became the most powerful nation in the world. During the last two hundred or so years, the United States has fought ten major wars and innumerable smaller military actions. For the most part it has been successful, in some instances defeating some of the world's most powerful countries. In other instances it has simply been lucky. A ...
The volcano Fujisan is the icon of Japan and something you have to at least see, but even better hike. Its symmetrical cone is easily visible from Tokyo on a clear day and it’s only getting more impressive the closer you get. The trek to the summit is fairly easy (though cold) and there are huts and tea houses along the routes that are open in the season (1st July to 27th August).
It’s probably the most trekked mountain in the world with more than 200,000 trekkers per year, but it only adds to the pilgrim experience to do it in crowds
Hanoi is more than a thousand years old and was original called Thang Long (well, actually it goes further back).
It was founded in 1010 and was the Imperial City for several dynasties during which it had the honor to be sacked by the Mongols, not just one time but three times. In 1397 the capital was moved, but Thang Long was kept as a region capital, a position it hold for another 490 years before it become capital for French Indochina. In the meantime the name had been changed to Hanoi (in 1831).
Then came the Indochina Wars and not until 1975 was Hanoi again capital for a unified Vietnam.
During all that time the Citadel of Thang Long served as some sort of fortress or military headquarter. Up until recently the citadel was off limit, but then UNESCO added it to its list in 2010 and today the citadel has open its gates to the public. The complex contains a range of different buildings, including the imposing South Gate and a newer structure, a reinforced concrete meeting room used by General Giap during the Vietnam War. There is also a North Gate on Phan Dinh Phung St, but you have to walk around the military compound that is still in use today. Come during the weekend and you have a chance to witness Vietnamese wedding photo sessions
The world’s largest coral reef system. It is made up of over 2,900 individual reefs. It hosts a very high level of biodiversityand is considered likely to be the richest area in the world in terms of animal diversity. It is home to about 400 types of coral, and forms a critical habitat for many endangered species.
The Term Paper on Coral Reef Reefs Corals Water
CORAL REEFS Almost every one of us have heard and most of you have seen the Coral reefs but did you know what actually these are: As a mariner its important to know about the marine life, that was one reason I have chosen this topic for my today's short presentation. GM, my scheme of presentation will be as flashed: DEFINITION OF CORAL REEF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORAL AND CORAL POLYP WHERE WE CAN ...
This performing arts complex is famous for its architecture. It was opened in 1973, and is a landmark of Sydney Harbour. The design is an example of the expressionist style and has had a lasting influence on architecture.
The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 130,028 ha, including the North and South Reefs. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.
This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. One of the river’s distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full ‘mountain-to-sea’ ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.
