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Countries around the world have launched strong campaigns to have their precious pristine heritage sites, archaeological sites, and historical monuments recognized as World Heritage sites. After much discussion, UNESCO decided that 10 new sites deserve World Heritage status, adding to the list of one thousand sites of “universal value to humanity.”
Archaeological site of the Philippines, Greece
The Philippi Archaeological Site (Photo: Achilleas Savvopoulos)
The archaeological site of Philippi in Greece, which played a significant role in the life and missionary work of the Apostle Paul, founded the first Christian church on the European continent in 49-50 AD. It is also the oldest Stone Age settlement site in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (an administrative region of Greece), and one of the largest structures of its kind in the Balkans.
Notre Dame du Haut Church
Le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut church in Ronchamp, FrancePhoto: Macduff Everton)
The Notre Dame du Haut cathedral was designed by the French and Swiss architect Le Corbusier. He was one of the pioneers of the 20th-century Modernist architectural movement. His architectural legacy spans from East to West, many of which have become World Heritage sites. Those who have visited Le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut will experience an overwhelming emotion, as if a magical force emanates from it. This also demonstrates Father Alain Couturier's efforts to persuade the clergy to revive Church art by placing faith in the most talented contemporary architects and artists. The combination of iron, concrete, glass, etc., may not appeal to everyone, but these designs initiated a movement that broke conventions and paved the way for a new architectural language. The heavy, gray concrete roof contrasts sharply with the white walls, a masterful celebration of Le Corbusier's interplay of light and structure.
Ben Nham
Mistaken Point in Newfoundland.(Photo: Barrett and Mackay)
Mistaken Point in Newfoundland was named by sailors after they discovered what they thought was a safe harbor on a foggy day, but it ended up hitting a rocky cliff. While these precarious cliffs are not favored by fishermen, they are a fascinating site for archaeologists because they contain one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of fossils. Newfoundland, located in eastern Canada, is a large island off the eastern coast of North America, and is the 16th largest island in the world and the 4th largest in Canada. It is famous for its idyllic blue beaches, the gentle waves lapping day and night, and many famous European-style buildings. The peaceful countryside stretches across Newfoundland, always offering a fresh and delightful experience for visitors. The harbors are bustling day and night, yet equally beautiful. The lives of the locals are peaceful, with their income mainly derived from fishing and agricultural products. Kayaking on the bay is also a popular activity for tourists visiting the area. The waters off Newfoundland are home to many whale species. Local fishermen have caught whales measuring 11 to 16 meters in length and weighing tons. Icebergs, the historic Labrador lighthouse, and the famous Newfoundland dog breed are among the region's distinctive features. The area also preserves fossils dating back 565 million years.
Hubei, China
Hubei Forest (Photo: Jiang Yong)
Hubei Shennongjia is the world's only pristine tropical and subtropical forest ecosystem. In addition to approximately 5,000 plant species, 3,767 medicinal herb species, 600 vertebrate species, 4,365 insect species, and 1,300 golden monkeys, species such as salamanders, leopards, and black bears are currently under strict protection by the Chinese government. The scenery here features towering mountains and swirling clouds, creating a scene like a fairyland.
Nelson Harbor in Antigua
Nelson Harbor (Photo: Nicola & Remurphy)
This is the Antigua Naval Shipbuilding Heritage Site, and the archaeological sites in Antigua and Barbuda bear witness to the formation, development, solutions, and construction technologies of leading naval facilities in the 18th century; the exploitation of favorable natural conditions to build a strategy for protecting the Caribbean Sea; and the result of the labor of many generations of African slaves working in the British army. Must-see sites include Fort Berkeley and the Nelson Shipyard, built in the 18th-19th centuries and named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who lived there from 1784-1787. The buildings were all constructed in the 18th-19th centuries and retain their original designs. Notable architectural landmarks in the area include Clarence House and Shirley Heights. After 1815, the shipyard's importance declined. In 1889, the Royal Navy abandoned the facility. Today, the structure is used for sightseeing, tourism, and as a yacht marina.
The Antequera stone tomb site in Andalusia
Antequera rock burial site (Photo: Javier Parez Gonzalez)
Dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, the Antequera rock burial site is a complex of rock tombs located near Antequera, Malaga province, southern Spain. The complex includes the Menga, Viera, and Romeral rock formations. These tombs vary in age and design but represent the largest and most complete megalithic structures in Europe.
Here you can enjoy local Flamenco performances and admire the Picasso Museum and the Palacio de Buenavista in Malaga – a restored 16th-century palace among nearly 300 buildings in the city, the birthplace of painter Pablo Picasso.
Revillagigedo Achipelago
Schools of fish in the Revillagigedo Achipelago (Photo: Erick Higuera)
This is a group of islands off the southeastern coast of Alaska. These underwater mountain ranges rise from the Pacific Ocean floor, from volcanic eruptions that occurred 3.5 million years ago. Volcanic activity created important reserves for geological study. Nicknamed the “Little Galapagos” of Mexico, the islands are home to seabirds and provide an important habitat for wildlife such as stingrays, whales, dolphins, and sharks.
The legacy of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara university.
Nalanda - India's oldest university (Photo: Rajneesh Raj)
Nalanda is India's oldest university, encompassing a complex of stupas, temples, residential and educational buildings, and other important works of art in the state of Bihar, India, dating from the 5th century to 1197. The site is located approximately 88 km southeast of Patna. Nalanda flourished from the reign of King Śakrāditya until 1197, receiving patronage from Hindu emperors of the Gupta Empire as well as Buddhist emperors such as Harsha and later emperors of the Pala Empire. The Nalanda heritage site, built of red brick, now lies a vast 14-hectare ruin. During its heyday, Nalanda University attracted scholars and students from as far away as Tibet, China, Greece, and Persia.
Gorham Cave
Burial pitg Gorham (Photo: David Lilttschwager)
The remarkable cave system east of Gibraltar is known to have preserved the last vestiges of Neanderthal life. Archaeologists have discovered treasure troves of artifacts such as stone tools and abstract rock carvings in the four Gorham caves, offering insights into human evolution and Neanderthal occupation over the past 125,000 years.
Bich Dong Cave in Hoa Son
The Bi Dong cave at Huashan (Photo: Zhu Qiuping)
These 38 limestone mountain ranges are the only remaining traces of the life and rituals of the Luoyue (ancient Lac Viet) people. Researchers believe these are paintings depicting ceremonies related to the bronze drum culture that was once prevalent in southern China. The cliff paintings are thought to be approximately 1800-2500 years old or 1600-2400 years old. The period of painting dates back to the Warring States period at the end of the Han Dynasty, and are the artwork of the ancient Lac Viet people, the ancestors of the present-day Zhuang people. The oldest painting is 16,000 years old, while the latest is 690 years old.
Lam Tue (According to NatGeo)
