Monuments of unesco heritage in the world. World natural heritage sites of Russia

Surely you have ever seen majestic mountains and peaceful valleys, winding rivers and endless forests that took your breath away? There are many such places on earth. Unique territories that are important to preserve in their original form are included in the list of the World natural heritage. Now it has 203 objects, 11 of which are located in Russia. Only it seems that this is quite a bit: among all countries, Russia ranks fourth in terms of the number of objects after China, America and Australia.

The World Heritage area includes state nature reserves and national parks. Landscapes change from alpine lakes, glaciers, arctic tundra to alpine meadows, taiga, endless steppes and even volcanoes.

These are not only incredibly beautiful places, but also home to many species of animals and plants, rare and even endemic - those that are not found anywhere else in the world. One example is the Amur tiger and the Dahurian crane. Some plants on the territory of natural monuments are more than one hundred years old. The age of the cedar in the Teletsk taiga is more than six centuries old.

An object is included in the list if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

(VII) represents a natural phenomenon or space of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.

(VIII) reflects the main stages of the history of the Earth, symbolizes geological processes in the development of the relief or its features

(IX) reflects ecological or biological processes in the evolution of animals, plants and other organisms

(X) includes significant natural environment habitats to preserve its biological diversity and endangered species of exceptional world value

4 out of 11 sites in Russia were selected according to criterion VII: the Komi forests, Lake Baikal, Kamchatka volcanoes and the Putorana Plateau. Therefore, travelers from all over the world seek to see them.

Read the mini-guide to all UNESCO natural heritage sites in Russia to see them live someday.

1. Virgin forests of Komi

The largest untouched forests in Europe stretch over an area of 32,600 km². This is about 3 km² more than the area of Belgium. The Komi forests are the first Russian site to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Brown bear, sable, elk, more than 200 species of birds, including those listed in the Red Data Book, and valuable fish species such as palia char and Siberian grayling live here.

In the thicket of virgin forests and on the banks of rivers, one can see bizarre stone statues, unusual remnants and other forms of weathering, reminiscent of the ruins of castles, or of mythical creatures.

The lush taiga stretches to the Ural Mountains, flowing into the tundra, where there are almost no plants, and crystal rivers descend from the ridges and merge into the Pechora, giving rise to amazing landscapes.

2. Lake Baikal

A slightly smaller area, 31,722 km², is occupied by the deepest lake on the planet. The whole of Malta, even magnified 100 times, would fit on its surface. This is one of the largest World Heritage Sites. The maximum depth of the lake is 1642 meters. This means that if you install the Eiffel Tower at the bottom, and put four more on top, the latter would still not appear out of the water.

The reservoir of the largest lake in Russia is almost 19% of the world's fresh water. The water in Baikal is so clean that some stones at the bottom are visible even at a depth of 40 meters. In many ways, cleanliness is provided by epishura, a unique crustacean that consumes organic matter. In general, about 2,600 animals live in Baikal, more than half of which are endemic. On the banks of the reservoir there are forests and swamps, glacial lakes, circuses and canyons. There are more than 800 species of higher plants.

A special phenomenon and a real attraction of Baikal is ice. At the end of winter in the bays, its thickness reaches two meters. On different areas On the surface, it freezes in different ways: sometimes it is covered with a web of cracks, sometimes it is dotted with bubbles, it looks like a mirror, sometimes it looks like frosted glass. Ice splashes formed by frozen waves several meters high, and grottoes, which cannot be reached in summer, are striking. In you can skate on a huge lake, raft on an ice floe and fill the camera memory with cool shots.

In summer, Baikal is also interesting: you can go around this natural monument or arrange rafting, jeeping and trekking.

3. Volcanoes of Kamchatka

Kamchatka resembles a cake with candles: there are so many here, and 28 out of 29 are in the eastern part. Klyuchevskoy is the highest volcano not only in Russia, but throughout Eurasia (4750 m), Mutnovsky is famous for its smoking fumarole fields, and in the crater of Maly Semyachik there is a piercing lake, like a blue eye wide open into the sky. That is why six separate sections of Kamchatka are included in the UNESCO list.

Another unique place is the Uzon caldera. 40,000 years ago, due to several eruptions in a row, a huge volcano collapsed, and a caldera with a diameter of 10 km was formed in its place. It is located on the territory of the Kronotsky Reserve and combines rivers, hot springs, tundra, forests and lakes on the same landscape.

4. Golden Mountains of Altai

The Altai Nature Reserve and the buffer zone of Lake Teletskoye, the Katunsky Nature Reserve and the buffer zone of Belukha Mountain, as well as the Ukok Plateau, have become World Heritage Sites. On their territory there are taiga, steppe, mountain tundra and glaciers, meadows and plateaus. If you want to see all the most picturesque places in one trip to Altai, then choose. Especially suitable for those who love comfort, because you will spend the night in hotels.

Altai is no less interesting in winter. Going to, you will see mountain lakes, snow-covered passes, tracts and cedar forests. After spending here, recharge your batteries for many months to come. And having made a tour of this UNESCO natural site, you will take pictures of the panoramas of the North Chuya Range and see a unique turquoise lake that does not freeze even at very low temperatures.

5. Western Caucasus

The Western Caucasus was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. This definition includes the Krasnodar Territory, Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia and part of the Main Caucasian Range from Mount Fisht to Elbrus. On the territory of the object there are “three-thousanders”, bizarre rocks, deep gorges, caves, glaciers and alpine lakes.

In Adygea, probably, the largest number of natural beauties per square meter. There are only two cities in the republic, and the rest of the territory is mountains and waterfalls, alpine meadows and untouched forests, deep canyons and raging rivers. This makes it possible to engage in various types active rest, and even . Rock climbing and hiking, horseback riding - why not spend it like this, for example?

6. Central Sikhote-Alin

Sikhote-Alin in eastern Russia is a mix of coniferous and broad-leaved trees, taiga and subtropics, southern and northern animal species. Here, for example, you can meet both Himalayan and brown bears. Primorye - the whole world relics and endemics, where groves of relic yews grow, carpets of Red Book lotuses bloom and rhododendrons bloom - local sakura. Protected bays with white beaches hide starfish and flocks of colored fish. On high altitudes the tundra stretches, while in the lowlands the grass grows up to 3.5 meters.

Sikhote-Alin is the birthplace of the Amur tigers. Over the past 100 years, their number in the world has decreased by 25 times. At the same time, 95% of the entire population lives in the Far East, and 5% in China. There, killing a tiger is a crime that carries the death penalty. And the Far Eastern leopard remained only in Primorye.

V.K. traveled through the local taiga. Arseniev - researcher Far East. On the expedition, he was with his friend and guide Dersu Uzala, a local hunter. Today and you can follow in their footsteps during

7. Ubsunur basin

This object includes Lake Ubsu-Nur, which belongs simultaneously to Mongolia and Russia (Republic of Tuva). On the territory of Mongolia, this lake is the largest, and its Russian part is only 0.3% of the total area. Here are contrasting landscapes - highlands, mountain taiga massifs, forest-steppe, steppe and semi-desert areas. There is even a real sandy desert. The surroundings of the lake were inhabited several thousand years ago. This is evidenced by petroglyphs on the rocks, stones and mounds, of which there are about 40,000 here.

8. Wrangel and Herald Islands

In the very north of Russia, where the Chukchi Sea meets the Arctic Ocean, the gloomy and mountainous islands of Wrangel (7.6 thousand km²) and Herald (11 km²) are located. In harsh environments where vibrant life seems impossible, there are hundreds of plant species - more than on any other Arctic island. Among the blackening rocks, walruses settled in the largest rookery in the Arctic, and thousands of birds made their nests. Gray whales swim in the local waters during migrations. Vragnel Island is called the "maternity hospital of polar bears" - there are so many of its ancestral lairs here. And in Chukchi it is called Umkilir - "the island of polar bears."

It is worth visiting at least once to see really rare animals. For example, musk oxen, which, like reindeer, survived the late Pleistocene extinction. Their wool is eight times warmer than sheep! , you can also try whale meat, learn an Eskimo dance and walk along the alley of whale bones.

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites- places and objects on the planet, in different countries selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in accordance with the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The Convention is designed to protect and preserve the outstanding cultural and natural values that constitute the heritage of all mankind. In order to protect historical objects from destruction, they are included in the general list, which is updated annually for dozens of places in different parts of the world. Let's take a look at some of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Mosque of al-Zeitouna, Tunisia

The Great Mosque or Mosque of al-Zeitun, located in the medina of the city of Tunis, is the largest mosque in the country. Despite the fact that non-Muslims are forbidden to enter the prayer hall, only the inner courtyard of the mosque is worth a visit. The mosque of al-Zeytun is made in the classical style, with arcades, columns and capitals. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.

Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor, Egypt

The burial temple of Queen Hatshepsut is located at the foot of the rocks of Deir el-Bahri. This temple is very different from many other Egyptian temples. And this is the only sanctuary built in honor of the great female pharaoh.

The temple of Queen Hatshesput is as amazing as the female pharaoh herself. A huge pylon was erected next to this temple, to which a 30-meter dam with sphinxes adjoined. In front of the temple itself, an amazing garden of beautiful shrubs and outlandish trees was laid out. Now the temple is visited by more than a million tourists annually. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1959.

Bahai Gardens, Haifa, Israel

The main attraction of Haifa is the Baha'i World Center, surrounded by beautiful gardens spread out on terraces along the slope of Mount Carmel with original fountains and outlandish trees and plants. The Bahai Gardens in Haifa are one of the most visited places in the entire Mediterranean.

Renowned architects have been working for 10 years to create this eighth wonder of the world. All work was carried out exclusively by volunteers who came from 90 countries to contribute to the construction.

In the heart of the Bahai Gardens on Mount Carmel, is the Shrine of the Bab. Designed by eminent Canadian architect William Maxwell, the structure of the Sanctuary of the Báb is a combination of Western and Eastern styles: granite columns, Corinthian capitals, and stately arches. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2008.

Petra, Jordan

The ancient city of Petra is rightfully considered the main attraction of Jordan. The Nabataean city of Petra was founded in these rocks about 4 millennia ago. Petra, which served as the capital of the kingdom, gradually gained enormous influence and unprecedented fame. The emergence of the city in such a remote place became possible thanks to the ability of the Nabataeans to control the flow of water, because in fact Petra is nothing more than an artificial oasis!

Flash floods often occur in this area, and the Nabateans successfully controlled them using dams, cisterns and aqueducts, which allowed them not only to survive long periods drought, but also successfully trade water. Everything would have been fine until the Roman emperor Trajan came and destroyed the kingdom. Since the 16th century, no human has set foot here, until in 1812 the Swiss traveler-adventurer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt decided to find a lost city in these lands, about which there were many legends. As a result, the Swiss found the legendary lost city protected by sands and rocks! Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.

Temple Wat Yai Chai Mongkon, Ayutthaya, Thailand

This temple was erected in 1357 for a community of monks from the Pa Kaeo Sect and was originally called Wat Phra Chao Phya Tha. The temple was intended for meditation, which, along with the monks, was also practiced by King U-Thong. In 1592, in honor of the victory over the Burmese, another king, Naresuan, built a majestic pagoda, after which the temple changed its name and became known as Wat Yai Chai Mongkon.

Here is a statue of the Reclining Buddha in yellow saffron robes. In addition to the Reclining Buddha, you can admire the statues of meditating Buddhas, also dressed in saffron robes. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1991.

Chichen Itza, Mexico

The sacred city of the Itza people, known as Chichen Itza, is located 75 miles east of the city of Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán. In translation, from the language of local tribes, this name means "Well of the Itza tribe." Archaeologists consider it one of the places of power associated with the Mayan culture. The ancient city covers an area of about six square miles, where once there were hundreds of buildings, of which today only ruins remain. About three dozen surviving buildings are of great interest to researchers. The most famous structure is the step pyramid of Kukulkan.

It has a square at the base, and its height reaches 23 m. On the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes (March 20 and September 21), at about three o'clock in the afternoon, the rays of the sun illuminate the western balustrade of the main staircase of the pyramid in such a way that light and shadow ob- they form an image of seven isosceles triangles, which, in turn, make up the body of a thirty-seven-meter snake, “creeping” as the sun moves to its own head, carved at the base of the stairs. It is on this light show that tourists most often come. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988.

Victoria Station (Chhatrapati Shivaji), Mumbai, India

Victoria is the largest railway station in India. The dome of the station building, one of the largest in the world, is visible from afar. A few years ago, it was renamed in honor of the King of India - Chhatrapati Shivaji. But the people still call him Victoria. The covered platform has a length of 400 meters. Ceilings of steel and glass support massive columns, their capitals are made of iron, some of white sandstone.

Thick walls, voluminous spaces, spacious verandas provide coolness inside the building. The facade of the building is decorated with protruding bay windows, decorative columns, figurines of fairy-tale characters. The main function of the dome is to amaze the imagination and serve as a guide. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004.

Novodevichy Convent, Moscow, Russia

The Novodevichy Convent, in the south-west of Moscow, in the bend of the Moscow River, was founded in 1524 by the vow of the Grand Duke Basil III in memory of the capture of Smolensk in 1514. Novodevichy was an important link in the defensive ring of the Moscow guard monasteries. In 1871, at the expense of the Filatievs, an orphanage-school for orphans of "non-noble rank" was opened; there were also two almshouses for nuns and novices. By 1917, 51 nuns and 53 novices lived in the monastery.

In 1922 the monastery was closed, and the "Museum of the Emancipation of Women" was created in it. By 1926 it was transformed into a historical, domestic and art museum, since 1934 a branch of the Historical Museum. Since 1980, the residence of the Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna has been in the Novodevichy Convent. In 1994, a convent was re-established under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna. Since 1995, services have resumed in the cathedral on patronal feasts. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004.

Plaza of Spain, Rome, Italy

One of the most famous and beautiful squares in Rome is the Plaza de España located in the city center. It got its name due to the fact that in 1620 the palace of Spain, or the Palazzo di Spagna, which housed the embassy of this country, appeared on it.

In the northern part of the Plaza de España is the Spanish Steps. Before her in 1627-1629. architect Pietro Bernini built the Barcaccia Fountain in the form of a sunken boat. The steps of the Spanish Steps lead to the church of Trinita dei Monti towering over the square. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1959.

Desert of Wadi Rum, Jordan

Wadi Rum is one of the main attractions of Jordan along with the city of Petra. This is an example of an extraordinary sandy landscape, consisting of an almost perfectly smooth surface of pink-golden sand and multi-colored sandstone hills rising above it all. Calm and silence reign here, only separate, lonely settlements occasionally disturb the desert with their presence.

In the desert are the remains of the ruins ancient temple Nabataeans. Also in the expanses of Wadi Rum there are protected areas for breeding antelopes, which are monitored by members of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina

Perito Moreno is a glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the southeast of the Argentinean province of Santa Cruz. The glacier is 78 km away. from the village of El Calafate. This huge accumulation of ice was named after the explorer Francisco Moreno, who first explored the region in the 19th century.

Perito Moreno has an area of 250 km² and is one of the 48 glaciers fed by the southern part of the Patagonian Glacier. This natural phenomenon is the third largest source of fresh water in the world. Unfortunately, from year to year the glacier collapses and loses its value. There is a certain charitable organization that accepts donations in order to keep the glacier alive. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1981.

Every year on March 3, World Day wildlife. The date was not chosen by chance: on this day in 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was adopted. World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to draw attention to the diversity and beauty of the world around us.

In order to preserve and increase not only the cultural, but also the natural wealth of the planet, in 1972 UNESCO created the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the main goal of which is to make known and protect objects that are unique in their kind. Now there are more than a thousand objects in the list.

All the diversity of the world heritage is divided into three conditional groups: cultural, natural and cultural-natural objects. On the territory of Russia in currently there are 26 monuments, 10 of which are unique natural objects.

Virgin forests of Komi

The virgin Komi forests were the first to be included in the list of world natural heritage in Russia. This is a huge and almost untouched natural massif, located in the north-east of the Komi Republic. The local forests mainly grow spruce, pine, fir, as well as several species of birch, larch and cedar.

The structure of this object includes one of the oldest in Russia, the Pechoro-Ilychsky nature reserve, located on the western slopes of the Northern Urals, and the national park "Yugyd va". In general, this entire long protected belt plays a huge role in stabilizing the state of the natural environment. In addition, the virgin nature of the reserve and the park is of interest to archaeologists and paleontologists.

Volcanoes of Kamchatka

Volcanoes of Kamchatka are six separate areas that are located in the east, in the center and in the south of the peninsula. Together they reflect almost all the main landscapes of Kamchatka, but at the same time each of them has a bright personality. In total, there are about 30 active and 300 extinct volcanoes.

The boundaries of this UNESCO monument include the Kronotsky Biosphere Reserve (this is a unique picturesque Mountain landscape, including 26 volcanoes), the underdeveloped high-mountain Bystrinsky Natural Park, the Klyuchevskoy Natural Park with Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the highest active volcano in Eurasia, and the Nalychevo Nature Park. The latter includes the well-known Nalychevo resort area, where there are about 200 healing springs of thermal and mineral waters.

Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is one of the largest natural heritage sites in the world. This is the oldest freshwater reservoir on our planet - its age is usually estimated at 25 million years, as well as the deepest lake in the world - its maximum depth is 1620 meters. In addition, about 20% of the world's fresh water reserves are contained in Baikal. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings attract tourists from all over Russia and from many countries of the world.

Golden Mountains of Altai

In the area where the territories of the four largest states of Eurasia - Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia converge, the Golden Mountains of Altai are located, one of the most significant mountain systems Central Asia and southern Siberia.

Here you can see a wide variety of landscapes - from steppes and taiga to mountain tundra and glaciers. The area is dominated by the two-headed mountain Belukha, covered with a cap of eternal snow and ice. It reaches 4506 meters in height and is the highest point not only Altai, but throughout Siberia. And to the west of Belukha there are dozens of mountain glaciers.

Western Caucasus

The Western Caucasus is a natural massif located in the western part of the Greater Caucasus, about 50 kilometers northeast of Sochi. More than 6 thousand species of plants and animals have been recorded in this territory, which makes it a unique center of biodiversity not only on the scale of the Caucasus, but also of Eurasia.

Several tourist routes have been laid along the territory of the reserve, observation platforms have been equipped, and a museum of nature has been created. The most visited place is the area of Krasnaya Polyana, located at the southern borders of the reserve.

Central Sikhote-Alin

This most valuable mountain and forest region is located in the south of the Russian Far East. Here you can see narrow intermountain valleys, through which small but fast rivers flow; mountains rising up and rocky cliffs, sometimes sheerly leaving in the waters of the Sea of Japan. Due to the local humid climate, dense forests have formed here, recognized as one of the richest and most original in terms of species composition in the entire Northern Hemisphere.

Ubsunur hollow

Ubsunur is a rather large shallow salt lake located in the western part of a vast and closed intermountain basin. The northern part of this basin is located on the territory of Russia (Tuva), and the southern part is on the territory of Mongolia. The World Heritage Site itself consists of 12 scattered sites, seven of which are located in Russia.

All sites are located in different parts drainage basin of Lake Ubsunur, so they differ markedly from each other in natural conditions and in general represent all the main types of landscapes characteristic of Central Asia. In addition, monuments of cultural heritage were found in the basin: ancient burials, rock paintings, stone statues.

Wrangel Island

The area of Wrangel Island is the northernmost among the world natural heritage sites, it is located about 500 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, at 71 degrees north latitude. In addition to Wrangel Island, the object includes Herald Island, located 70 kilometers to the east, as well as the adjacent waters of the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas.

The island itself is valuable in that it is a pronounced autonomous ecosystem that has developed in conditions of complete isolation for the last 50 thousand years - since the time when the island began to separate from the mainland. In addition, this territory is characterized by an exceptional biodiversity for the Arctic; a number of rare and endangered species can be found here.

Putorana Plateau

The boundaries of this object coincide with the boundaries of the Putoransky State Nature Reserve, located in the northern part of Central Siberia, 100 kilometers above the Arctic Circle. The World Heritage Listed portion of this plateau features the full range of subarctic and arctic ecosystems preserved within an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest tundra, tundra and arctic deserts, as well as a pristine lake with cold water and river systems.

Natural Park "Lena Pillars"

The Lena Pillars are rock formations of rare beauty that reach a height of about 100 meters and are located along the banks of the Lena River in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The pillars are separated from each other by deep and steep ravines, partially filled with rock fragments. On the territory of the object there are remains of many different species of the Cambrian period.

The material was prepared by the editors of the site

Before we present you with a list of countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, let's understand what they are.

Is a masterpiece of human creative genius;
Proves significant mutual influence of universal values in a certain historical period or cultural space;
Is unique or exclusive to a culture and/or civilization that exists or has disappeared;
It is an outstanding example of architectural landscape design, illustrating important period human history;
Is an outstanding example of traditional human settlements or human interaction with the environment;
The object is directly related to historical events, or cultural traditions, religious beliefs, artistic or literary works and is of great world importance.

World Heritage Sites fall into three categories:

cultural, i.e. Man-made are mainly architectural monuments.
created by nature, such as rock formations or caves, lakes, rivers and waterfalls
mixed, i.e. created jointly by nature and man - for the most part, these are various parks and gardens.

Natural objects have their own selection criteria - for example, a natural phenomenon of exceptional beauty and aesthetic value.

In the US, there are Native American heritage sites, such as Taos Pueblo, an ancient Indian settlement. These are also structures created in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as the Statue of Liberty.

In addition, the United States has several world heritage sites created by nature. These include the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park. In total, there are 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States.

Russia made it to this top due to its rich and varied history and colossal territory. Among the objects of cultural heritage of Russia are the Moscow, Novgorod and Kazan Kremlins, the historical centers of St. Petersburg and Yaroslavl.

Also in Russia there are as many as 10 natural heritage sites, including the famous Lake Baikal and the Golden Altai Mountains.

The United Kingdom has many cultural heritage sites created, in particular, during the period of the Roman imperial occupation. Many of them are connected with events affecting the global history of Europe. Of these, the Fortified Frontier of the Roman Empire and the Tower of London are especially famous.

India is the birthplace of the most ancient earthly civilizations, which has seen the rise and fall of many empires and royal dynasties, as well as several world religions - Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism. India has several world heritage sites created by nature - caves and national parks.

The most famous cultural heritage sites in India are the royal palace of the Taj Mahal and the cave temples located on the island of Elephanta.

Mexico was home to two ancient civilizations who lived in the New World until the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries- Aztec and Maya. It was also where the earliest settlements of European colonists in the New World were located.

Mexico's World Heritage Sites include the historic center of Puebla, and the ancient pre-Spanish cities of Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza and El Tajin.

During its long history, Germany has been both part of the Holy Roman Empire and the center of the German Empire. Hence the large number of cultural heritage sites. The most famous of them are Wartburg Castle and Cologne Cathedral.

As in the case of Germany, the history of France is closely connected with the Roman Empire. At one time, the Frankish tribes lived as part of the Empire. Later, however, France itself became a powerful monarchy.

So it is not surprising that in France many objects are classified as world heritage. First of all, this is Notre Dame Cathedral and the Palace of Versailles.

Of the 45 sites, 3 are located outside of Europe - for example, the Garajonay National Park, located on the island of La Gomera. This is due to the fact that Spain still retained some of the land acquired during the era of colonization.

In Spain itself, the most famous objects are the Roman city walls of Lugo and Burgos Cathedral.

China is home to the world's oldest civilizations and many cultures that still live and have disappeared. There are many cultural heritage sites in China, including the Great Wall of China.

But there are also a dozen natural heritage sites in China. One such place is Karst deposits in South China.

Finally, most of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in Italy - the birthplace of the Holy Roman Empire, the Christian and most of the figures of the Renaissance. Among the objects of cultural heritage of Italy are the historical centers of Rome, Naples, Florence, Castel del Monte and Villa Del Casale.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a UNESCO World Heritage Site

World Heritage Sites make a significant contribution to the tourism industry, and hence the economy, of the countries that own them. They tend to be the most attractive for tourists visiting these countries.

This means more tourists, and therefore more money attracted by this industry. However, ownership of World Heritage properties comes at a high cost. The government of a country that owns a world heritage site has to spend a lot of money on the repair, protection and maintenance of these attractions.

This can create big problems for a given country, especially during difficult economic periods.

Beautiful shots from all corners of our Motherland, which depict the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Russia.

About UNESCO World Heritage

The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted at the XVII session of the General Conference of UNESCO on November 16, 1972 and entered into force on December 17, 1975. Its main goal is to attract the forces of the world community to preserve unique objects of culture and nature. In 1975, the Convention was ratified by 21 states, over the 42 years of its existence, 172 more states have acceded to them, and by mid-2017 total number States Parties to the Convention reached 193. In terms of the number of States Parties, the World Heritage Convention is the most representative among other international programs of UNESCO. In order to improve the efficiency of the work of the Convention, the Committee and the World Heritage Fund were formed in 1976.

The first cultural and natural sites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List two years after the program was established. Of the natural areas, the heritage status received Galapagos Islands(Ecuador), national parks "Yellowstone" (USA), "Nahanni" (Canada) and "Shimen" (Ethiopia). Over the past years, the List has become very representative both in terms of the regions of the planet represented and in terms of the number of objects: by mid-2017, it included 206 natural, 832 cultural and 35 mixed natural and cultural objects in 167 countries of the world. Largest number of cultural properties in the List are Italy, Spain, Germany and France and China (more than 30 each), the USA, Australia, China, Russia and Canada have the largest number of natural world heritage sites (more than 10 objects each). Under the protection of the Convention are such world-famous natural monuments as the Great Barrier Reef, the Hawaiian and Galapagos Islands, the Grand Canyon, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Baikal.

Of course, to be on a par with the universally recognized world pearls of nature and culture for any object is honorable and prestigious, but at the same time, this is a great responsibility. To receive World Heritage status, a property must be of Outstanding Human Value, undergo a rigorous expert assessment and meet at least one of the 10 selection criteria. At the same time, the nominated natural object must comply with at least one of the following four criteria:

vii) include unique natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic value;

VIII) present outstanding examples of the main stages of the history of the Earth, including traces of ancient life, serious geological processes that continue to occur in the development of forms earth's surface, significant geomorphological or physiographic features of the relief;

IX) present outstanding examples of important ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;

X) include natural areas of great importance for the conservation of their biological diversity, including areas of endangered species that are of outstanding scientific or conservation value.

The protection, management, authenticity and integrity of the object are also important factors, which are taken into account in its evaluation before inclusion in the List.

The status of a world natural heritage site provides additional guarantees for the safety and integrity of unique natural complexes, increases the prestige of territories, promotes the popularization of objects and the development of alternative types of nature management, and ensures priority in attracting financial resources.

World Heritage Project

In 1994, Greenpeace Russia began work on the World Heritage project, aimed at identifying and protecting unique natural complexes that are threatened by serious Negative influence human activities. Giving natural areas the highest international conservation status to further guarantee their safety is the main goal of the work carried out by Greenpeace.

The first attempts to include Russian protected natural areas to the UNESCO World Heritage List were undertaken in the early 1990s. In 1994, an all-Russian meeting " Contemporary Issues creation of a system of objects of the world and Russian natural heritage”, which presented a list of promising territories. At the same time, in 1994, Greenpeace Russia experts prepared Required documents for inclusion in the UNESCO List of natural complex, called "Virgin forests of Komi". In December 1995, he was the first in Russia to receive the status of a world natural heritage site.

At the end of 1996, "Lake Baikal" and "Volcanoes of Kamchatka" were included in the List. In 1998, another Russian natural complex, the Golden Mountains of Altai, was included in the List; in 1999, a decision was made to include the fifth Russian natural site, the Western Caucasus. At the end of 2000, the Curonian Spit became the first international site in Russia (together with Lithuania) to receive the status of a World Heritage site in terms of "cultural landscape". Later, the UNESCO List included the Central Sikhote-Alin (2001), the Ubsunur Basin (2003, jointly with Mongolia), the Natural Complex of the Wrangel Island Reserve (2004), the Putorana Plateau (2010) , Lena Pillars Nature Park (2012) and Landscapes of Dauria (2017, jointly with Mongolia).

Nominations for consideration by the World Heritage Committee must first be placed on a national Tentative List. Currently, it contains such natural complexes as the Commander Islands, Magadan Reserve, Krasnoyarsk Pillars, the Great Vasyugan Swamp, the Ilmensky Mountains, the Bashkir Urals, the Reserved Kenozero, the Oglakhty Ridge and Bikin River Valley. Work is underway to expand the territory of the Golden Mountains of Altai (by including the adjacent territories of China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan). Negotiations are underway with Finland and Norway on the joint nomination "Green Belt of Fennoscandia".

Russia, of course, is rich in unique natural complexes not affected by economic activity. According to rough estimates, there are more than 20 territories in our country worthy of the status of a world natural heritage site. Among the promising territories, the following natural complexes can be noted: the Kuril Islands, the Lena Delta, the Volga Delta.

Russian cultural sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List include such recognized historical and architectural monuments as the historical center of St. Petersburg, the Kremlin and Red Square, the Kizhi Pogost, the Solovetsky, Ferapontov and Novodevichy monasteries, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye , monuments of Veliky Novgorod, Vladimir, Suzdal, Yaroslavl, Kazan, Derbent, Bolgar and Sviyazhsk, the Struve geodetic arc (together with Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova).