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Babylon, Iraq
Babylon was a city-state of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. The ruins of this city-state are now found in Hillah, Babylon, Iraq, about 85 km south of Baghdad. All that remains of this famous ancient city is a mound, along with mud-brick buildings and fragments in the fertile Mesopotamian plain, situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Babylon was considered the largest city in the world during the periods 1770 BC–1670 BC and 612 BC–320 BC, with a population of over 200,000 people.
Ohrid region, Albania
Ohrid boasts a rich cultural, historical, and natural environment, including: monuments, Ohrid Cathedral, the ancient city of Ohrid, Struga, and the entire natural heritage on the shores of Lake Ohrid (excluding the Albanian and Galician national park areas), but plans are underway to expand to include the Galician national park area.
With its outstanding cultural heritage, distinctive architectural structures, and well-preserved pristine natural ecosystem, the Ohrid region fully deserves to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ancient Hyrcanian Forest, Iran
The ancient Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran, stretching 850km along the Caspian Sea coast, is home to 44% of Iran's plant species. This forest, dating back 50 million years, is also home to the Persian leopard and nearly 60 species of mammals and 160 species of birds.
Migratory bird sanctuary, China
The migratory bird sanctuary, located on the shores of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay, is home to many species of fish and crustaceans. It is also a gathering point for migratory birds on the East Asia-Australia flight path. Large flocks of birds, including highly endangered species, visit the coast to rest, molt, overwinter, and nest.
Southern lands and seas, France
The southern French land and sea region includes the Crozet, Kerguelen, and Saint-Paul archipelagos, Amsterdam Island, and 60 islands in Antarctica. Covering an area of over 67 million hectares, this region is home to the largest concentration of birds and mammals, particularly the world's largest populations of emperor penguins and albatrosses.
Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
The national park is named after the Vatnajökull glacier – the largest glacier in Europe outside the Arctic Circle, with a surface area of 8,100 km2. The glacier is 400–600 meters thick, sometimes reaching up to 950 meters, covering several mountains, valleys, and plateaus.
The landscape surrounding the glacier is incredibly diverse. To the north, the plateau is dissected by glaciers, with stronger currents in the summer. Volcanoes located in this area include Askja, Kverkfjöll, Snæfell, and Herðubreið. The Jökulsárgljúfur gorge in the north of the plateau is deeply carved by massive glaciers, and above the valley lies the majestic Dettifoss waterfall.
Paraty and Ilha Grande, Brazil
Paraty and Ilha Grande have just been designated a new UNESCO mixed heritage site thanks to their culture and biodiversity. Situated between the Serra da Bocaina mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, Paraty is one of the best-preserved coastal towns in Brazil and one of the world's five most important biodiversity areas. It is also home to several endangered species such as the jaguar, the white-lipped pig, and the spider monkey.
In the late 17th century, Paraty was the terminus of the Caminho do Ouro, a route for transporting gold to Europe, and also a hub for the African slave trade. Today, the Paraty cultural center still retains colonial architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ancient metallurgical region, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso's newly discovered World Heritage site comprises five villages located in provinces across the African nation. Among these, Douroula offers the oldest evidence of metallurgical development in Burkina Faso. The others are Tiwega, Yamane, Kindibo, and Bekuy. Although iron ore mining is no longer common today, blacksmiths still play an important role in traditional rituals in the area.
