New Delhi: UNESCO has designated numerous places all over the world as World Heritage Sites. These landmark places have cultural, historical, or scientific significance and are legally protected by a UNESCO-led international convention. The sites contain cultural and natural heritage which are considered to have outstanding value to humanity. In this article, we will take a look at the countries with the most heritage sites in the world.
Countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites
1. Italy
Italy previously had 59 World Heritage Sites. The newest addition is the 800-kilometre-long Via Appia, the oldest and most important of the great roads built by the Ancient Romans which has taken the number of heritage sites in the country to 60. In 2023, Venice and its lagoon, a major heritage site in Italy was nominated for the list of endangered monuments. As of now, Venice is still on the World Heritage List.
2. China
China is placed in the second position with 59 heritage sites. Out of them, two sites, the Beijing Central Axis running through the capital and the Badain Jaran Desert in the Alashan Plateau in northwestern China have been added recently.
3. Germany
There are 54 UNESCO Heritage Sites in Germany and the Schwerin Residence Ensemble was added recently. It has 38 buildings including the Schwerin castle.
4. France
France is in the fourth position with 53 heritage sites. That includes the newly-added Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific.
5. Spain
Spain is in the fifth position with 50 heritage sites. Some of its famous sites are the Burgos Cathedral, Historic Centre of Cordoba, Monastery and Site of the Escurial, Madrid and the Works of Antoni Gaudí.
6. India
India is in the sixth position with 43 UNESCO heritage sites. Recently this year, the Moidams, the Mound-Burial System of Ahom Dynasty was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the 43rd Entry of our country.
7. Mexico
Mexico occupies the next place with 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco, the Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán, the Historic Centre of Puebla, Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque and the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan are some of the most famous heritage sites in the country.
8. Great Britain
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland also has 35 UNESCO Heritage Sites with Flow Country in Scotland being the latest entry to the list. The Durham Castle and Cathedral, the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast, the Ironbridge Gorge, St Kilda Stonehenge, the Avebury and Associated Sites, the Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey, the Blenheim Palace and the City of Bath are some of the famous heritage sites there.
9. Russia
Russia comes next in the list with 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of the famous sites are the Kizhi Pogost, the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, the Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands, the Historic Monuments of Novgorod and Surroundings and the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal.
10. Iran
With 28 heritage Sites, Iran is in the tenth position on this list. Some of its most famous heritage sites are Persepolis, Tchogha Zanbil, Takht-e Soleyman, Bam and its Cultural Landscape, Pasargadae, Soltaniyeh
and Bisotun.
These landmark places have cultural, historical, or scientific significance and are legally protected by a UNESCO-led international convention. The sites contain cultural and natural heritage which are considered to have outstanding value to humanity. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
