Most UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The World Heritage Convention, established in 1972 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), defines World Heritage Sites as places of cultural or natural heritage significance. Monuments, groups of buildings and places, including archaeological sites, belong to the category of cultural heritage. The second category includes natural sites that are significant from the perspective of science, conservation or natural beauty.
List of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India – Latest Updates
List of 10 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites
S. no | Earth | World Heritage Sites |
1. | Italy | 59 |
2. | China | 57 |
3. | Germany | 52 |
4. | France | 52 |
5. | Spain | 50 |
6. | India | 42 |
7. | Mexico | 35 |
8. | United Kingdom | 33 |
9 | Russia | 29 |
10. | Iran | 27 |
Dholavira: Harappan city becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Italy
Italy had 59 recognized sites as of 2023, surpassing China’s 57 to become the country party with the most World Heritage sites. The rock paintings at Valcamonica, the first site in Italy, were added to the list at the third session of the World Heritage Committee, held in 1979 in Cairo and Luxor, Egypt. During the 1990s, 25 new Italian seats were added, including 10 seats at the 21st session held in Naples in 1997.
China
China is second in the world with 57, just behind Italy (59). On December 12, 1985, China ratified the Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. These locations form a significant part of China’s invaluable and diverse tourism resources.
Germany
Aachen Cathedral was the first location listed in 1978. In 2021, four new locations were added. 48 localities are recognized for their cultural significance, while only three are natural. The third largest number of world heritage sites is located in Germany. And now, in 2023, there are a total of 52 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
France
On June 27, 1975, France ratified the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, thereby acquiring the right to nominate sites on its soil for the World Heritage List. There are 52 properties in France listed as World Heritage Sites, including natural and cultural.
Spain
The Spanish sites were originally added to the list at the 8th session of the World Heritage Committee in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1984. Five new sites were included during that meeting: Park Güell, Palau Güell and Casa Milà in Barcelona; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Córdoba; Alhambra and Generalife in Granada; Cathedral of Burgos; and the monastery and site of the Escorial in Madrid.
Kolkata’s Durga Puja gets UNESCO heritage designation
India
On 14 November 1977, India ratified the treaty, making its sites eligible for listing. There will be 42 World Heritage Sites in India by 2023. One of them, Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type, with 34 cultural and 7 natural. Also, the sixth largest number of locations is located in India.
Mexico
On February 23, 1984, Mexico ratified the convention, making its historic sites eligible for listing. Thirty-five World Heritage Sites, including twenty-seven cultural sites, six natural sites, and two combined sites, are located in Mexico as of 2023.
United Kingdom
One site each in England and Scotland is on the UNESCO list, along with 18 sites in England, five in Scotland, four in Wales, one in Northern Ireland and one site each in Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, and Saint Helena. There is another site which is thought to be listed in Cyprus but is partly in the UK territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
The first ‘haunted tomb’ within the UNESCO heritage: A blood-red warning to all who open it
Russia
At the 14th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, in December 1990, the first five sites of the Soviet Union were added to the list. Three of these monuments, those in Saint Petersburg (then known as Leningrad), Kizhi Pogost, and Moscow’s Kremlin and Red Square can be found in the modern Russian Federation (or Russia).
Iran
On February 26, 1975, Iran ratified the treaty, making its historic sites eligible for UNESCO listing. As of 2023, there are a total of 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran. Meidan Naghshe Jahan, Isfahan, Persepolis and Tchogha Zanbil were the first three Iranian monuments to be added to the list at the third session of the World Heritage Committee held in 1979 in Cairo and Luxor, Egypt. Until Takht-e Soleyman was added to the list in 2003, these were the only properties belonging to the Islamic Republic.
The mission of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is to identify, protect and enhance cultural and natural sites of outstanding value to humanity, while encouraging international cooperation to preserve these sites for present and future generations.
List of Indian Biosphere Reserves on the UNESCO MAB List
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Source: vcmp.edu.vn