Jul 03 2009
World Heritage List Expands
During the 33rd session of The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) this past June in London, England, it was announced that eleven cultural sites and two natural sites have been added to the World Heritage list.
The new additions include:
- The Wadden Sea, Germany/Netherlands
- The Dolomites, Italy
- Stoclet House, Belgium
- The Ruins of Loropeni, Burkina Faso
- Mount Wutai, China
- Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, Iran
- Sulamain-Too Scared Mountain, Kyrgyzstan
- The Sacred City of Caral-Supe, Peru
- The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, Republic of Korea
- The Tower of Hercules, Spain
- La Chaux-de-Fonds/Le Locle, Switzerland
- Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, United Kingdom
- The Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains, France
For only the second time in the history of UNESCO, a site on the World Heritage list has been removed. The Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany was unable to retain its status due to the construction of a four-lane bridge in the middle of the site.
Three world sites are threatened by various factors and were added to the danger list. They include the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, Los Katios National Park in Colombia, and the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta in Georgia.
Based in Paris and established in 1945, UNESCO encourages awareness of the natural and cultural heritage worldwide. For more information, visit UNESCO .
