UNESCO cultural heritage in the world. World natural heritage sites of Russia

Ten natural objects of the Russian Federation are on the UNESCO World Heritage List (4 of them are recognized as natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance), and this is not counting another 15 objects that are cultural objects of protection. This is not at all surprising, because Russia is a truly vast country, with a huge territory, with incredibly beautiful and diverse nature, with a rich cultural heritage.

If you want to see the virgin nature of Russia in its original form, then it will not be difficult for Russians (and foreign tourists too) to go to one of nature reserves or national parks of the country, on whose territory these ten objects are located, in need of constant protection at the international level ...

1. woodlands Republic of Komi

The area of these forests is more than 3 million hectares, on which is located national park and a state biosphere reserve. This facility opened a new page for Russia in environmental protection at the global level.

The virgin forests of Komi are known as the largest untouched forests growing in Europe. They cover an area of 32,600 square kilometers in the north Ural mountains, within the Pechero-Ilychsky Reserve and the Yugyd Va National Park. According to their composition, the Komi forests belong to the taiga ecosystem. They are dominated by coniferous trees. The western part of the forests falls on the foothills, the eastern - on the mountains themselves. The forest area of Komi is distinguished by the diversity of not only flora, but also fauna. More than two hundred species of birds live here, 40 species of rare mammals, and 16 species of fish that are considered valuable for fishing, preserved since the Ice Age, live in the reservoirs. For example, Siberian grayling and palia char belong to such fish species. Many inhabitants of the virgin forests of Komi are listed in the Red Book of the planet. This natural object of the Russian Federation was included in the UNESCO list in 1995 - the very first in the list.

2. Lake Baikal

For the whole world, Baikal is a lake, for the people of Russia who are in love with a unique natural object, Baikal is a sea! Located in Eastern Siberia, it is the most deep lake planet and, at the same time, the largest natural storage fresh water. The shape of Baikal has the shape of a crescent. Max Depth lake is 1642 meters with an average depth of 744. Baikal contains 19 percent of all fresh water on the planet. The lake is fed by more than three hundred rivers and streams. Baikal water is distinguished by a high content of oxygen. Its temperature rarely exceeds plus 8-9 degrees Celsius even in summer near the surface. The water of the lake is so clean and transparent that it allows you to see in depth at a distance of up to forty meters.

The oldest and deepest (approximately 1700 meters) on Earth, Lake Baikal covers an area of over three million hectares. The reservoir that appeared about 25 million years ago was in almost complete isolation, due to which an amazing ecosystem was formed in its fresh waters, the study of which allows obtaining information about the evolutionary processes taking place on the planet.

Unique even on a global scale, the lake is about 20% of all the reserves of such necessary fresh water on Earth, as well as a delightful sight that inspires beauty and enchants with the luxury of amazing landscapes.

Lake Baikal was named a beautiful pearl by UNESCO in 1996 and included in the list of priceless heritage of the planet.

3. Kamchatka volcanoes .

This site was also included in the World Heritage List in 1996. Five years later (in 2001), the territory of the object subject to international protection expanded due to the movement of lithospheric plates of the Pacific volcanic ring. Today, the territory of the state biosphere reserve is about 4 million hectares. This area is called natural museum volcanology". As exhibits can serve as long-extinct, and active volcanoes peninsulas of Kamchatka. Moreover, each of the "exhibits" is an individual object, for the study of which life is not enough.

In total, there are currently about 300 extinct volcanoes and 30 active ones, but the number of the latter changes every year. The most interesting tourist attraction of this region is the Valley of Geysers in the Konotsky Biosphere Reserve. The mountain rivers of Kamchatka abound with huge numbers of salmon fish, and coastal waters are home to many species of whales and dolphins.

4. Altai Mountains

These mountains are called "Golden", as each species of animals, birds and fish is unique here. Altai cedar forests and mammals with the most valuable commercial fur, which can be equated in value with gold, have been preserved here. The object covers an area of more than 1.5 million hectares, was included in the UNESCO list in 1998. The "golden" Altai mountains are located at the intersection mountain system Siberia and Central Asia.

The vegetation of this region is unique, there is an abundance of territory alpine meadows, there are steppes, semi-deserts and tundra. Absolutely everything is unique here, from snow leopards to mountainous landforms. Pearl Altai Territory called Teletskoye Lake, which is also called "Small Baikal".

5. Nature Park"Lena Pillars"

The fabulously beautiful landscapes of the park are formed by hundred-meter rock formations that pacify the waters of the beautiful Lena River. The Lena Pillars are located in the very heart of Sakha (Republic of Yakutia).

Such an amazing natural phenomenon owes its appearance to the continental climate, within which temperature fluctuations reach about one hundred degrees (+40 degrees in summer and -60 degrees in winter). The pillars are separated by deep ravines with steep slopes. Their formation took place under the influence of water, which contributes to the freezing of the soil and its weathering. Similar processes led to the fact that the ravines deepened and expanded. Water in this case plays the role of a destroyer, representing a danger to the pillars.

Introduced in 2012 into the list of heritage of the planet, the Lena Pillars are of interest not only from the point of view of an aesthetic spectacle, it is also a unique archaeological zone, on the territory of which the remains of ancient animals of the Cambrian period were found.

This natural site has an area of 1.27 million hectares. If we take into account the geological structure of the soil in the park, then this land can “tell” a lot about the history of the planet, about living organisms and vegetation.

Many remains of mammoths, bison, woolly rhinos, Lena horses, reindeer and other remains of ancient mammals have been found in the Lena Pillars. Today, 12 representatives of animals and birds listed in the Red Book of the planet live on the territory of the complex. It is believed that the Lena Pillars have a huge "aesthetic influence" on a person due to their unique beauty of landscapes, the quaintness of the relief with huge caves, fabulous-looking stone statues, rocky spiers, niches and "towers".

6. Sikhote-Alin Reserve

This territory, included in the UNESCO list in 2001, covers an area of about 0.4 million hectares. The object is valuable because unique broad-leaved forests and ancient coniferous forests have been preserved on its territory. There is also an incredible mix different types flora and fauna, including many rare species.

A large biosphere reserve in Primorsky Krai was originally created to preserve the sable population. It is currently the most comfortable spot observation of the life of the Amur tiger. A huge number of plants grow on the territory of the Sikhote-Alin Reserve. More than a thousand higher species, more than a hundred - mosses, about four hundred - lichens, more than six hundred species of algae and more than five hundred - fungi.

The local fauna is represented by a large number of birds, marine invertebrates and insects. Many plants, birds, animals and insects are among the protected objects. lemongrass chinese,ginseng,Fori rhododendron and Palibina edelweiss, spotted deer and Himalayan bear, black crane and stork, Japanese starling, Sakhalin sturgeon, fish owl and Swallowtail butterfly - all of them found shelter in the Sikhote-Alin Reserve.

7. Natural complex of the Wrangel Island Reserve

The protected area, which in 2004 added to the list of UNESCO treasures, is located beyond the Arctic Circle. It includes the relief landscapes of Wrangel Island, whose area is over 7 thousand square meters. kilometers, and Herald Island, whose area is 11 thousand square meters. kilometers, as well as the coastal waters of the East Siberian Sea and the waters of the Chukchi Sea.

This region managed to avoid glaciation, thanks to which the area is distinguished by amazing biological diversity. The harsh climate of the protected area appealed to the walruses, who have formed here the largest rookery in the Arctic. The picturesque land was also chosen by polar bears, the density of their ancestral dens in this region is considered the highest on the planet.

More than fifty species of birds nest here, including both endemics and endangered ones. Gray whales rush here, choosing this place for feeding. Surprisingly, over four hundred species of vascular plants are found on the island, among which there are also endemics.

Here tourists can see the largest "bird colonies" in the Eastern Arctic. Pleistocene relics predominate among plant forms. The landscape of the island is unusual, as well as its water area. Many travelers dream of visiting here.

8. Ubsunur basin

The area of this unique biosphere reserve is 0.8 million hectares. The object was included in the UNESCO list in 2003. located salt Lake with a large scale area on the border of Mongolia and the Russian Republic of Tuva. By the way, only seven sections of the intermountain basin with a shallow lake (up to 15 meters) are located on the territory of Russia, the remaining five parts of the Transboundary Facility are located in Mongolia. Each of the seven sections of the basin on our territory is individual in appearance and the plants that grow there depending on the landscapes.

Inhabitant of the Ubsunur Hollow

Zhere you can see the foothills with eternal areas of snow-capped peaks, there are also areas of mountain taiga, alpine meadows, wetlands, mountain tundra and even sandy deserts. The remnant mountains with bright vegetation and contrasting landscapes give a special picturesqueness to the Ubsunur basin. Endangered species of animals are found here - mountain sheep - argali, snow leopard, as well as many rare species of birds - geese, herons, terns, gulls, waders, etc. During the excavation of ancient burial mounds in the basin, unique cave drawings, graves and stone statues.

9. Putorana Plateau

Included in the World Heritage List in 2010, this natural site of the Russian Federation covers a total area of more than 1.8 million hectares. This virgin basalt plateau in the north of Eastern Siberia, almost at the Arctic Circle, is invaluable in terms of study by geologists and geomorphologists. The mountainous terrain has a stepped landscape, flat-topped massifs intersect deep canyons. The plateau was formed at the turn of the Mesozoic and Paleozoic as a result of volcanic activity. Forty-layer deposits allow us to study the structure of the planet.

Deep cracks in the plateau were formed by glaciers, which subsequently filled with water, forming lakes with a unique appearance and a depth of up to 400 meters. There are many on the plateau beautiful waterfalls, one of which (in the valley of the Kanda River) has a height of 108 meters. In total, on the territory of the Putorana Plateau there are 25 thousand small and big lakes with a huge supply of fresh water. There are more than 30 species of mammals in this northern reserve, and all of them are rare or relict.

Vegetation is represented by 400 species - mainly woodlands, mountain tundra and larch taiga. The plateau serves as a resting place for thousands of species of migratory birds.

The picturesque landscapes of the beautiful plateau coincide with the boundaries of the reserve of the same name located beyond the Arctic Circle, which adorns the territory of Central Siberia. The special charm of the area is betrayed by the successive zones: the virgin taiga, the richest forest tundra, the colorful landscapes of the tundra and fabulous beauty icy arctic deserts. A real decoration of the plateau: winding ribbons of rivers and a crystal saucer of a lake filled with clear cold water. Through the inhospitable lands of the plateau, a road stretches along which deer migrate. This is an incredible sight, which in nature can be observed less and less.

10. Territories of the Western Caucasus

The nature reserve with an area of 0.3 million hectares has been included in the UNESCO list since 1999. These territories are almost untouched by human civilization. Today they are protected not only by UNESCO, but also by other all-Russian and international organizations - Greenpeace, the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, NABU, Dresden Technical University, the working group " North Caucasus” and others. The territory of the reserve covers areas that stretch from the upper reaches of the Kuban River to the Belaya and Malaya Laba rivers..

Caucasus. Blooming rhododendron in the Upper Mzymta valley

The vegetation in this protected region is represented by coniferous and broad-leaved forests, crooked forests, mountain meadows, and nival belt. Every third plant here is considered relic. Rare species of birds of prey nest here - ospreys, bearded vultures, golden eagles, griffon vultures, etc. Among the large animals in the reserve, you can see West Caucasian tigers, brown bears, wolves, Caucasian red deer, bison, etc. Tourists will be interested to see beautiful karst formations in this natural area with deep gorges, waterfalls, underground rivers, tarns, moraines, cirques and valleys formed by mountain glaciers.

11. Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit is a sandy spit located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. The Curonian Spit is a narrow and long saber-shaped strip of land that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea and extends from the city of Zelenogradsk Kaliningrad region to the city of Klaipeda (Smiltyne) (Lithuania).

Length - 98 kilometers, width ranges from 400 meters (near the village of Lesnoy) to 3.8 kilometers (near Cape Bulviko, just north of Nida).

The Curonian Spit is a unique natural and anthropogenic landscape and a territory of exceptional aesthetic value: The Curonian Spit is the largest sand body, which is part of the Baltic sand spits complex, which has no analogues in the world. The high level of biological diversity due to the combination of different landscapes - from desert (dunes) to tundra (raised bog) - gives an idea of important and long-term ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, river, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. The location of the spit and its relief are unique.

The most significant element of the spit relief is a continuous strip of white sand dunes 0.3-1.0 km wide, partly approaching the highest in the world (up to 68 m).

The Curonian Spit contains natural areas that are the most representative and important for the conservation of biological diversity, including those where endangered species are preserved, which are of outstanding world significance in terms of science and nature conservation: due to their geographic location and orientation from the northeast to the southwest, it serves as a corridor for migratory birds of many species flying from the northwestern regions of Russia, Finland and the Baltic countries to the countries of the Middle and Southern Europe. Every year, in spring and autumn, 10 to 20 million birds fly over the spit, most of which stop here for rest and feeding.

I didn't post everything in my last post. architectural objects Russia, marked by UNESCO for its uniqueness and historical value. Today I will add to this list...

12. Citadel, old city and fortifications of Derbent .

The citadel, the old town and fortifications of Derbent is the collective name under which UNESCO in 2003 added the medieval architectural heritage of the city of Derbent to the World Heritage List.

The history of ancient Derbent, located off the coast of the Caspian Sea, on the territory of modern Dagestan, has, according to archaeologists, five thousand years. This one of ancient cities Russia was at first a small settlement founded at the foot of the spurs Caucasus mountains, which later acquired city fortifications of impressive size.

However, the first documentary evidence of this place is precisely how big city, belong to the 5th century. At that time, the Persian king Yazdegerd II ruled here, who appreciated its strategic location. This, by the way, is reflected in the name, because Derbent in Iranian means “mountain outpost” or “mountain pass”. Approximately 100 years later, another king erected a fortified city on the remains of the former defensive structures, which is called the Old, with impregnable fortress and powerful fortifications. Between these fortifications, stretching deep into the Caucasus Mountains for more than 40 kilometers, a city has developed that still retains a medieval character.

Citadel of Nara-kala

It continued to be a strategically important site well into the 19th century. Derbent has experienced many dramatic events throughout its history: wars, assaults, periods of decline and prosperity, times of independence and subjugation to other peoples. But still, this place has preserved many monuments of all these turbulent periods.

It: the citadel of Naryn-kala, with thick and high walls, the ruins of the palace of the Derbent Khan, baths and a guardhouse;

13. Struve geodesic arc

The Struve arc is a network of 265 triangulation points, which were stone cubes buried in the ground with an edge length of 2 meters, with a length of more than 2820 kilometers. It was created to determine the parameters of the Earth, its shape and size. It is named after the creator - the Russian astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (Vasily Yakovlevich Struve).

The Struve geodetic arc was measured by Struve and employees of the Derpt (Tartu) and Pulkovo observatories (whose director was Struve) for 40 years, from 1816 to 1855, over 2820 km from Fuglenes near the North Cape in Norway (latitude 70 ° 40′11″ N) to the village of Staraya Nekrasovka, Odessa region, near the Danube (latitude 45° 20′03″ N), which formed a meridian arc with an amplitude of 25° 20′08″.

Struve geodesic arc, "Point Z", o. Gogland, Leningrad region

Currently, arc points can be found on the territory of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia (on the island of Gogland), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova (Rud village) and Ukraine. On January 28, 2004, these countries applied to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee with a proposal to approve the remaining 34 points of the Struve Arc as a World Heritage Site. In 2005, this proposal was accepted.

Story about others architectural monuments Russia, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Around the world

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World heritage sites included in the special list of UNESCO are of great interest to the entire population of the planet. Unique natural and cultural objects make it possible to preserve those unique corners of nature and man-made monuments that demonstrate the richness of nature and the possibilities of the human mind.
As of July 1, 2009, there are 890 objects in the World Heritage List (including 689 cultural, 176 natural and 25 mixed) in 148 countries: individual architectural structures and ensembles - the Acropolis, the cathedrals in Amiens and Chartres, the historical center of Warsaw (Poland) and St. Petersburg (Russia), the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square (Russia), etc.; cities - Brasilia, Venice along with the lagoon, etc.; archaeological reserves - Delphi, etc.; National parks - marine park Great Barrier Reef, Yellowstone (USA) and others. The states on whose territory the World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations to preserve them.

1) Tourists inspect Buddhist sculptures Longmen Grottoes ("Dragon Gate") near the city of Luoyang in Chinese province Henan. There are more than 2,300 caves in this place; 110,000 Buddhist images, more than 80 dagobas (Buddhist mausoleums) containing relics of the Buddhas, as well as 2,800 inscriptions on the rocks near the Yishui River, a kilometer long. For the first time Buddhism in China was introduced in these places during the reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty. (China Photos/Getty Images)

2) Bayon Temple in Cambodia is famous for its many giant stone faces. There are over 1,000 temples in the Angkor region, ranging from nondescript piles of brick and rubble scattered among rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, considered the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored. More than a million tourists visit them every year. (Voishmel/AFP - Getty Images)

3) One of the parts archaeological site Al-Hijr - also known as Madain Salih. This complex is located in northern regions Saudi Arabia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 6, 2008. The complex includes 111 rock burials (I century BC - I century AD), as well as a system of hydraulic structures dedicated to the ancient Nabatean city of Hegra, which was the center of caravan trade. There are also about 50 rock inscriptions dating back to the Donabatean period. (Hassan Ammar/AFP - Getty Images)

4) The waterfalls "Garganta del Diablo" ("Devil's Throat") are located on the territory of the Iguazu National Park in the Argentine province of Misiones. Depending on the water level in the Iguazu River, the park has from 160 to 260 waterfalls, as well as over 2000 varieties of plants and 400 Iguazu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Christian Rizzi/AFP - Getty Images) #

5) Mysterious Stonehenge stone megalithic structure, consisting of 150 huge stones, and located on the Salisbury Plain in the English county of Wiltshire. This ancient monument is believed to have been built in 3000 BC. Stonehenge was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

6) Tourists stroll by the Bafang Pavilion in the Summer Palace, Beijing's famous classical imperial garden. summer palace, built in 1750, was destroyed in 1860 and rebuilt in 1886. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. (China Photos/Getty Images)

7) The Statue of Liberty at sunset in New York. "Lady Liberty", which was presented to the United States by France, stands at the entrance to New York Harbor. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Seth Wenig/AP)

8) "Solitario George" (Lonely George), the last living giant tortoise of this species, born on Pinta Island, lives in the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador. She is now approximately 60-90 years old. Galapagos Islands were originally inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, but were listed as endangered in 2007. (Rodrigo Buendia/AFP - Getty Images)

9) People skate on the ice of the canals in the Kinderdijk Mills area, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Rotterdam. Kinderdijk has the largest collection of historic windmills in the Netherlands and is one of the top attractions in South Holland. Decoration with balloons of the holidays passing here gives a certain flavor to this place. (Peter Dejong/AP)

10) View of the Perito Moreno glacier located in national park Los Glaciares, in the southeast of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. This place was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1981. The glacier is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the Argentinean part of Patagonia and the 3rd largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. (Daniel Garcia/AFP - Getty Images)

11) Terraced gardens in the north Israeli city Haifa is surrounded by the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, the founder of the Baha'i faith. Here is the world administrative and spiritual center of the Baha'i religion, the number of professing which in the world is less than six million. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 8, 2008. (David Silverman/Getty Images)

12) Aerial photography of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. According to the World Heritage website, this small state contains a unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces. The Vatican was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Giulio Napolitano/AFP - Getty Images)

13) Colorful underwater scenes of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This thriving ecosystem hosts the world's largest collection of coral reefs, including 400 coral species and 1,500 fish species. The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. (AFP - Getty Images)

14) Camels rest in the ancient city of Petra in front of Jordan's main monument, Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury, supposedly the tomb of a Nabataean king carved out of sandstone. This city, located between Red and dead seas, is located at the crossroads from Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Phoenicia. Petra was added to the World Heritage List in 1985. (Thomas Coex/AFP - Getty Images)

15) Sydney Opera House - one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world, which is a symbol of Sydney and one of the main attractions of Australia. The Sydney Opera House was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2007. (Torsten Blackwood/AFP - Getty Images)

16) Rock paintings made by the San people in dragon mountains located in the east South Africa. The San people lived in the Drakensberg area for thousands of years until they were destroyed in clashes with the Zulus and white settlers. They left behind incredible rock paintings in the Dragon Mountains, which were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000. (Alexander Joe/AFP - Getty Images)

17) General view of the city of Shibam, located in the east of Yemen in the province of Hadhramaut. Shibam is famous for its incomparable architecture, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program. All houses here are built of clay bricks, about 500 houses can be considered multi-storey, as they have 5-11 floors. Shibam is often referred to as " the oldest city skyscrapers in the world" or "Desolate Manhattan", it is also the oldest example of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. (Khaled Fazaa/AFP - Getty Images)

18) Gondolas near the Grand Canal in Venice. The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is visible in the background. Island Venice - seaside resort, a center of international tourism of world importance, a venue for international film festivals, art and architectural exhibitions. Venice was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987. (AP)

19) Some of the 390 abandoned huge statues of compressed volcanic ash (moai in the Rapa Nui language) at the foot of the Rano Raraku volcano on Easter Island, 3700 km from the coast of Chile. Rapa Nui National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 1995. (Martin Bernetti/AFP - Getty Images)

20) Visitors walk along the Great Wall of China in the Simatai area, northeast of Beijing. This largest architectural monument was built as one of the four main strategic strongholds in order to defend against the invading tribes from the north. The 8,851.8 km long Great Wall is one of the largest construction projects ever completed. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP - Getty Images)

21) Temple at Hampi, near the South Indian city of Hospet, north of Bangalore. Hampi is located in the middle of the ruins of Vijayanagara - former capital Vijayanagara empire. Hampi and its monuments were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP - Getty Images)

22) A Tibetan pilgrim rotates prayer mills on the grounds of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet's capital. The Potala Palace is royal palace and Buddhist temple complex which was the main residence of the Dalai Lama. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum actively visited by tourists, remaining a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and continuing to be used in Buddhist rituals. Due to its enormous cultural, religious, artistic and historical significance, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. (Goh Chai Hin/AFP - Getty Images)

23) The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian city of Cusco. Machu Picchu, especially after receiving the UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, has become a center of mass tourism. The city is visited by 2,000 tourists per day; In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800. (Eitan Abramovich/AFP - Getty Images)

24) Buddhist pagoda Kompon-daito on Mount Koya, in the province of Wakayama, Japan. Mount Koya, located east of Osaka, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. In 819, the Buddhist monk Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school, an offshoot of Japanese Buddhism, was the first to settle here. (Everett Kennedy Brown/EPA)

25) Tibetan women walk around the Bodhnath Stupa in Kathmandu - one of the most ancient and revered Buddhist shrines. On the sides of the tower crowning it, "Buddha's eyes" inlaid with ivory are depicted. The Kathmandu valley is about 1300 m high - mountain valley and historical area Nepal. There are many Buddhist and Hindu temples here, from the Boudhanath stupa to tiny street altars in the walls of houses. locals It is said that 10 million Gods live in the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

26) A bird flies over the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum-mosque located in the Indian city of Agra. It was built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. architectural marvel was also named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in 2007. (Tauseef Mustafa/AFP - Getty Images)

27) Located in northeast Wales, the 18km Pontcysillte Aqueduct is an Industrial Revolution civil engineering feat completed in the early years of the 19th century. More than 200 years after its opening, it is still in use and is one of the busiest sections of the UK canal network, handling around 15,000 boats a year. In 2009, the Pontkysilte aqueduct was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "a milestone in the history of civil engineering during the Industrial Revolution." This aqueduct is one of the unusual monuments to plumbers and plumbing. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

28) A herd of moose grazes in the meadows of Yellowstone National Park. Mount Holmes, on the left, and Mount Dome are visible in the background. In the Yellowstone National Park, which occupies almost 900 thousand hectares, there are more than 10 thousand geysers and thermal springs. The park was included in the World Heritage program in 1978. (Kevork Djansezian/AP)

29) Cubans drive an old car along the Malecon in Havana. UNESCO inscribed Old Havana and its fortifications on the World Heritage List in 1982. Although Havana has expanded and has a population of over 2 million, its old center retains an interesting mixture of baroque and neoclassical monuments and homogeneous ensembles of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought iron gates and patios. (Javier Galeano/AP)

Machu Picchu, which is translated from the Inca language as "Old Peak", is a legendary city built by the Incas in a lush mountainous area, on the peak of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu is recognized as one of the new wonders of the world, it is one of the most stunning places in the world. Dthe ancient city of the Incas cascades down the steep slopes on each side of the mountain, in separate terraces. HThe incredible ruins of Machu Picchu have been partially restored and are well maintained, giving visitors a good idea of what the city might have looked like in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Thousands of ancient temples, stupas and monasteries stretch endlessly in Pagan, the ancient capital of the kingdom of the same name. Here, the silhouettes of the temple spiers against the backdrop of sunrise or sunset are a magical sight worth a trip to this still unexplored country. The area is known for having the largest concentration of Buddhist temples in the world, many of which were built in 1000 and 1100 when Bagan was the capital of a pagan kingdom, the first kingdom to unify the regions that later became modern Myanmar. According to the Burmese chronicles, Pagan was founded in the second century AD, and in 849 became the capital of the kingdom under King Pingbya, the 34th successor of the founder of early Pagan. Some temples and stupas have been restored, while others are just ruins. They vary in size and levels of architectural complexity, creating an intriguing mix of structures that compel travelers to scrutinize every temple they see.

In a unique jungle setting, not far from the city of Siem Reap, is another historic UNESCO World Heritage Site - Angkor Wat, which is known as the largest religious monument in the world. angkor watwas built by the Khmers in the 12th century and its architecture is stunning.Huge stone carved faces peer in all directions.Extensive and intricate bas-reliefs line the walls and doorways.Destructive passages and steep stone stairs require scouting before traversing them.Until its fall in the 15th century, Angkor Wat was the largest city in the world.

Stretching for a fantastic 8,800 kilometers through thick forests and steep mountain slopes, across the rivers and lakes of northern China, this is the Great Wall of China, deservedly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Wall of China is one of those undeniable sights that has been inspiring great adventures for travelers from all over the world for centuries. The construction of the wall began as early as the 3rd century BC, and the most popular section of the Great Wall of China is Badaling, which is located just 75 kilometers from Beijing.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, the Roman Colosseum is the largest building left from Roman times.Its imposing presence in the heart of the modern cityRomeis a testament to the incredible history of the city and the achievements of the Roman Empire. Travelers who saw the Colosseum for the first time are amazed at the huge size of this structure, given that they began to build itin 72 AD Today, the Roman Colosseum is still one of the largest and most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Rising aboveAthenson top of the hill, the Acropolis stands as a proud monument of Ancient Greece. StructuresThe 5th and 4th centuries BC dominate the Acropolis, but the most famous is the Parthenon, the largest and most recognizable monument ancient culture, it symbolizes amazing story this country.Steps away from modern Athens, the Acropolis is a powerful sight, sparkling under the Mediterranean sun during the day and spectacularly lit at night.

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This incredible prehistoric monument is one of England's most visited attractions and certainly a unique destination, attracting large numbers of tourists from all over the world every year. This huge prehistoric megalithic structure is located 130 kilometers northwest of London.It is assumed that this monument was erected between 3000-1500 BC, but there is no information about its origin or purpose of construction, which leads to various speculations and myths, some of which indicate religious or astronomical significance.As a result, a ring of Bronze Age stones has an almost mystical charm, especially during the summer and winter solstices when the light from sunrise and sunset is aligned with the stones. stonehenge, located near the citySalisbury.

A dramatic, narrow mountain gorge allows access to the ancient city of Petra, stone city with houses and temples carved into the sandy rocks.This ancient capital The Nabataeans have roots that can be traced back to the 5th century BC.Discovered at the beginning of the 18th century, it was called the "pink city" because of the color of the rocks and for obvious reasons, the "carved city".Located in a mountainous area with limited access, it occupied a strategic position on an important trade route in the region.Today, Petra is the main attraction of Jordan.

Borobudur is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world and by far the most famous landmark in Indonesia.Set in lush tropical surroundings, with mountains and volcanoes, Borobudur looks stunning and calming.This massive temple complex, located on the island of Java, near the city of Yogyakarta, was built in the 700s, but after 200 years it was abandoned and forgotten for many centuries due to volcanic eruptions in the area, it has remained relatively serene for centuries. Borobudurwas discovered in the 18th century by the British and later restored.

10. Tikal, Guatemala

The ancient Mayan city of Tikal is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.Central America. Located in the northernGuatemala, insurrounded by impenetrable jungle, this ancient city consists of over 3,000 buildings. The Maya inhabited Tikal between 600 B.C. and up to 900 AD. Ancient pyramids, temples, plazas and foundations of all kinds of buildings show a complex society that once had hundreds of thousands of people. Tikalwas reopened in the middle of the 18th century and opened to tourists in the 1950s.Part of the city has been restored, but work continues, and some areas are still in the impenetrable jungle and are waiting in the wings.The ruins are located in the Tikal National Park, a biosphere reserve protecting the forest and wildlife in this district.

In our world, there are many objects that are unique in their kind and constitute the world heritage of mankind.

The list of this organization contains objects among which there are separate architectural structures and ensembles, for example - the Acropolis, the cathedrals in Amiens and Chartres, the historical centers of the cities - Warsaw and St. Petersburg; and there are whole cities - Brasilia, Venice, along with the lagoon and others. There are also archaeological reserves - for example, Delphi; national parks - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Yellowstone (USA) and others. The states on whose territory the World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations to preserve them.

It is worth noting that UNESCO World Heritage Sites are 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. The first three places in terms of the number of objects are occupied by Italy, Spain and China.

In this photo collection you will see places from different parts of our planet that are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tourists look at Buddhist sculptures at the Longmen Grotto (Dragon Gate) near Luoyang, China's Henan province. There are more than 2,300 caves in this place; 110,000 Buddhist images, more than 80 dagobas (Buddhist mausoleums) containing relics of the Buddhas, as well as 2,800 inscriptions on the rocks near the Yishui River, a kilometer long. For the first time Buddhism in China was introduced in these places during the reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Bayon Temple in Cambodia is famous for its many giant stone faces. There are over 1,000 temples in the Angkor region, ranging from nondescript piles of brick and rubble scattered among rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, considered the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored. More than a million tourists visit them every year.

One of the parts of the Al-Hijr archaeological site - also known as Mada'in Salih. This complex, located in the northern regions of Saudi Arabia, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 6, 2008. The complex includes 111 rock burials (I century BC - I century AD), as well as a system of hydraulic structures dated to the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra, which was the center of caravan trade. There are also about 50 rock inscriptions dating back to the Donabatean period.

The waterfalls "Garganta del Diablo" ("Devil's Throat") are located on the territory of the Iguazu National Park in the Argentine province of Misiones. Depending on the water level in the Iguazu River, the park has from 160 to 260 waterfalls, as well as over 2000 plant species and 400 bird species The Iguazu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984.

The mysterious Stonehenge is a stone megalithic structure, consisting of 150 huge stones, and located on the Salisbury Plain in the English county of Wiltshire. This ancient monument is believed to have been built in 3000 BC. Stonehenge was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Tourists stroll by the Bafang Pavilion at the Summer Palace, Beijing's famous classical imperial garden. The Summer Palace, built in 1750, was destroyed in 1860 and rebuilt in 1886. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998.

Statue of Liberty at sunset in New York. "Lady Liberty", which was presented to the United States by France, stands at the entrance to New York Harbor. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984.

"Solitario George" (Lonely George), the last living giant tortoise of this species, born on Pinta Island, lives in the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador. She is now approximately 60-90 years old. The Galapagos Islands were originally inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, but in 2007 they were marked as endangered.

People skate on the ice of the canals in the Kinderdijk mills area, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Rotterdam. Kinderdijk has the largest collection of historic windmills in the Netherlands and is one of the top attractions in South Holland. Decoration with balloons of the holidays passing here gives a certain flavor to this place.

View of the Perito Moreno glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the southeast of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. This place was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1981. The glacier is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the Argentinean part of Patagonia and the 3rd largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland.

Terraced gardens in the northern Israeli city of Haifa surround the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, the founder of the Baha'i faith. Here is the world administrative and spiritual center of the Baha'i religion, the number of professing which in the world is less than six million. This site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 8, 2008.

Aerial view of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. According to the World Heritage website, this small state contains a unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces. The Vatican was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984.

Colorful underwater scenes of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This thriving ecosystem hosts the world's largest collection of coral reefs, including 400 coral species and 1,500 fish species. The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981.

Camels rest in the ancient city of Petra in front of Jordan's main monument, Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury, believed to be the sandstone tomb of a Nabataean king. This city, located between the Red and Dead Seas, is at the crossroads of Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Phoenicia. Petra was added to the World Heritage List in 1985.

Sydney Opera House - one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world, which is a symbol of Sydney and one of the main attractions of Australia. The Sydney Opera House was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

Rock paintings made by the San people in the Dragon Mountains, located in eastern South Africa. The San people lived in the Drakensberg area for thousands of years until they were destroyed in clashes with the Zulus and white settlers. They left behind incredible rock paintings in the Dragon Mountains, which were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

General view of the city of Shibam, located in the east of Yemen in the province of Hadhramaut. Shibam is famous for its incomparable architecture, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program. All houses here are built of clay bricks, about 500 houses can be considered multi-storey, as they have 5-11 floors. Shibam is often referred to as "the oldest city of skyscrapers in the world" or "Desert Manhattan", it is also the oldest example of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction.

Gondolas along the Grand Canal in Venice. The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is visible in the background. Island Venice is a seaside resort, a center of international tourism of world importance, a venue for international film festivals, art and architectural exhibitions. Venice was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Some of the 390 abandoned huge statues of compressed volcanic ash (moai in the Rapa Nui language) at the foot of the Rano Raraku volcano on Easter Island, 3,700 km from the coast of Chile. Rapa Nui National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 1995.

Visitors walk along the Great Wall of China in the Simatai area, northeast of Beijing. This largest architectural monument was built as one of the four main strategic strongholds in order to defend against the invading tribes from the north. The 8,851.8 km long Great Wall is one of the largest construction projects ever completed. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987.

Temple in Hampi, near the South Indian city of Hospet, north of Bangalore. Hampi is located in the middle of the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi and its monuments were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, notes fresher.ru.

A Tibetan pilgrim turns the prayer mills on the grounds of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet's capital. The Potala Palace is a royal palace and Buddhist temple complex, which was the main residence of the Dalai Lama. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum actively visited by tourists, remaining a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and continuing to be used in Buddhist rituals. Due to its enormous cultural, religious, artistic and historical significance, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.

The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian city of Cusco. Machu Picchu, especially after receiving the UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, has become a center of mass tourism. The city is visited by 2,000 tourists per day; In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800.

Buddhist pagoda Kompon-daito on Mount Koya, in Wakayama province, Japan. Mount Koya, located east of Osaka, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. In 819, the Buddhist monk Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school, an offshoot of Japanese Buddhism, was the first to settle here.

Tibetan women walk around the Bodhnath Stupa in Kathmandu, one of the most ancient and revered Buddhist shrines. On the sides of the tower crowning it are depicted "Buddha's eyes" inlaid with ivory. Kathmandu valley with a height of about 1300 m is a mountain valley and a historical region of Nepal. There are many Buddhist and Hindu temples here, from the Boudhanath stupa to tiny street altars in the walls of houses. Locals say that 10 million Gods live in the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979.

A bird flies over the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum-mosque located in the Indian city of Agra. It was built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. The architectural marvel was also named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in 2007.

Located in northeast Wales, the 18km Pontcysillte Aqueduct is a civil engineering feat from the Industrial Revolution, completed in the early years of the 19th century. More than 200 years after its opening, it is still in use and is one of the busiest sections of the UK canal network, handling around 15,000 boats a year. In 2009, the Pontkysilte aqueduct was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "a milestone in the history of civil engineering during the Industrial Revolution." This aqueduct is one of the unusual monuments to plumbers and plumbing

A herd of moose grazes in the meadows of Yellowstone National Park. Mount Holmes, on the left, and Mount Dome are visible in the background. In the Yellowstone National Park, which occupies almost 900 thousand hectares, there are more than 10 thousand geysers and thermal springs. The park was included in the World Heritage program in 1978.

Cubans drive an old car along the Malecon in Havana. UNESCO inscribed Old Havana and its fortifications on the World Heritage List in 1982. Although Havana has expanded and has a population of over 2 million, its old center retains an interesting mixture of baroque and neoclassical monuments and homogeneous ensembles of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought iron gates and patios.

world heritage: all the most interesting about the world's attractions included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

World Heritage refers to objects of cultural or natural value for the whole world. The decision to include a site on the World Heritage List is made by UNESCO with the participation of invited experts. After being included in the List, the object comes under the protection of international law, and UNESCO monitors its safety. This organization also reserves the right to exclude objects from the List for one reason or another. So, for example, it happened with the German Dresden - experts considered that the new transport bridge across the Elbe violates the unity of the architectural and natural complex of the old city.

As of the end of 2011, the 1972 Convention was signed by 188 states, the World Material Heritage List on the same date includes 936 objects (unique architectural ensembles, works of art, nature reserves) from 153 countries, of which 725 were created by man, 183 - by nature and 28 refer to mixed natural and cultural sites. Full list broken down by country can be viewed on the official website. Objects in danger of extinction are marked in red.

In 2003, a convention was adopted for the protection also of intangible cultural heritage(Intangible Cultural Heritage). By the end of 2011, 139 countries had ratified it. The List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity includes folk festivals, carnivals, ceremonies and genres of folklore art - music, dance, oral epic tradition, theater, calligraphy, fine Arts, traditional crafts and trades. By the end of 2011, there are 267 such facilities, two of which are located on the territory of the Russian Federation. This is the culture of Semey (descendants of Russian Old Believers who preserved the pre-Petrine Russian way of life) and the Yakut epic olonkho.

Guilin National Park

As for the material objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, there are 24 of them in our country. The most famous, of course, are the Moscow Kremlin with Red Square, the historical center of St. Petersburg, the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad, Lake Baikal, volcanoes of Kamchatka, golden mountains of Altai, Kizhi churchyard on Kizhi island in Onega lake, the ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent, the historical center of Yaroslavl, architectural monuments of Veliky Novgorod, Vladimir, Suzdal, the Ferapont Monastery and the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Kolomenskoye.

Choose the very best of those that are outside Russian Federation, incredibly difficult. One of such wonderful places is Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus, more than others are well-known - the megalithic structure Stonehenge in England and " lost city» Machu Picchu is the most mysterious monument of Inca culture in the world. We also like the royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal, the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre National Park in Italy and the town of Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic.

We will tell you more about several amazing man-made monuments and natural wonders honored to be under the protection of UNESCO.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. The ruins of almost 1000 temples of several capitals of the Khmer Empire of the 9th-15th centuries have been preserved here. Among them famous temple Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom huge amount sculptural decorations. Every year more than a million tourists come to Cambodia to see these places of worship with their own eyes.

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Al-Hijr is the largest surviving archaeological site of the Nabataean civilization, located in Saudi Arabia. 111 tombstones (1st century BC - 1st century AD), many of which are luxuriously decorated, a system of wells, as well as almost 50 inscriptions from the pre-Nabathean era, and several cave drawings are well preserved here.

Los Glaciares National Park is a picturesque area in Argentina, with many glacial lakes, including Argentino, 160 km long. The local glacier is the third largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. Massive blocks of ice often break off from its edge, forming massive icebergs.

The ancient city of Petra in Jordan has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Caravan routes between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia passed through Petra, located near the Red and Dead Seas. Half built, half carved into the rocks and surrounded by mountains, Petra combines ancient oriental traditions with Hellenistic architecture.

Sydney Opera theatre- one of the outstanding architectural structures 20th century The opera building consists of three interconnected "shells", which house the main halls for performances and a restaurant. These "shells" lie on a wide base, where walking terraces and squares are equipped. The structure of an unusual shape is located on the cape of the peninsula in Sydney Bay and fits perfectly into the landscape of the ocean coast.

The 18 km long Pontcysillte Aqueduct in Wales, built at the beginning of the 19th century, is a masterpiece of construction from the Industrial Revolution. More than 200 years after its discovery, it is still in use for its intended purpose and handles about 15,000 boats a year. This aqueduct is also an unusual monument to plumbers and plumbing.

Dolomites, Italy

The Summer Palace and Imperial Park in Beijing is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape art. It was first built in 1750, restored in 1886 after the destruction caused by the war of 1860. Natural features - hills and open water - are skillfully woven into architectural ensemble, harmoniously combined with pavilions, palaces, temples and bridges.

Included on the World Heritage List and the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Vatican City State, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Venice with its lagoon, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra, as well as the Iguazu National Park on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

The best countries and destinations for sightseeing tours

All articles about excursion tours on the "Subtlety"

Austria Vienna
Balkans: Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey (Istanbul), Croatia and Montenegro
United Kingdom: England, London and its 10 free attractions, Scotland
Spain: Barcelona and Madrid
Italy: Venice, Rome, Sicily
Baltic States: Latvia (Riga)
Scandinavia: Norway, Finland
France: Paris and its