The World's Heritage

by UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura (Foreword)

""No school, public, or academic library could go wrong including the very affordable World Heritage Sites in both reference and circulating collections." "-- Booklist

In 1959, UNESCO launched an international campaign to safeguard the world's most important sites, which led to the first World Heritage List. This new edition includes the 21 brand-new sites, such as: The first capital of the Saudi dynastyColonial-period convict sites in AustraliaBikini AtollImportant commercial centers on the Silver Route and the Silk Road in IranSubtropical rain forests and cloud forests in Reunion National ParkA major reindeer migration route across the ArcticAn 18th-century astronomical observation site in India

The 911 sites are found in 151 countries across the globe, and strict criteria assures that only the most spectacular and extraordinary sites make it onto the list. Many are familiar, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Wall of China and Mount Kilimanjaro, and many are less known but equally important, including Sweden's Engelsberg ironworks and the Sewell Mining Town in Chile. The United States and Canada together boast 36 sites, including the Statue of Liberty, the Mammoth Caves, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Historic Quebec and Everglades National Park, recently added to the World Heritage List of Sites in Danger.

Featuring gorgeous photographs and updated maps, "World Heritage Sites" is a uniquely comprehensive and valuable resource to the world's most important historical and natural treasures.

Genres: Travel, History, Reference, Nonfiction, Architecture, Coffee Table Books, Photography

832 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (in French, L'Organisation des Nations unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law and human rights including the fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter. Projects sponsored by UNESCO include literacy, technical, and teacher-training programmes; international science programmes; the promotion of independent media and freedom of the press; regional and cultural history projects; the promotion of cultural diversity; international cooperation agreements to secure the world cultural and natural heritage (World Heritage Sites) and to preserve human rights, as well as attempts to bridge the worldwide digital divide.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so grateful that I've been able to visit many of the UNESCO sites during our travels, but this book reminded me that I shouldn't get cocky as I've barely scratched the surface. Each entry includes why the site meets the standards, which is interesting. This is a VERY heavy book full of fascinating information and some great photos. After reading this, I've added many more sites to our upcoming itineraries. I'll have a better understanding of WHY these places shouldn't be missed and appreciate them all the more.

[Blog on Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

What does it take to make the register of World Heritage Sites? Is it age, a phenomenal location or a site of major cultural significance? Sure, but truth be known, there are ten discrete criteria used to determine inclusion on this elite list, among them a site must exhibit human creative genius, a significance in human history, natural phenomena, major stages of Earth’s history or any of six other qualities as determined by the members of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Nine hundred and eleven sites have been so designated over the past 35 years from the initial choice of the Galapagos Islands to the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. The book, which features 650 pictures across a massive 856 pages, offers maps, photos and descriptions of the significant details of sites across all continents as well as the cultural, historic or geographic criteria used in the site’s selection for inclusion on the list.

From the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia to the Dazu Rock Carvings in China, ancient and natural areas are singled out for their distinction and protection. Temples, cathedrals, national parks and portions of entire cities are among the highlights of UNESCO and while many sites are widely known worldwide (the Acropolis, Stonehenge, etc.) others are so obscure that the reader is likely to be encountering them for the very first time.

With the dawning of the digital age, “World Heritage Sites” might be a perfect contender for a CD-ROM or interactive style book. While this 856 page volume offers a good introduction to the range and scope of this global preservation program, more information, including interactive maps and timely updates, check out UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention website here.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't read every word of this mammoth reference work, I have thoroughly gone through the book, checking off sites I've already been to, and making mental notes about priority destinations. It also came in very handy when my daughter had to do several "World Wonder" reports - we went through the book together, looking for ideas, and then she used much of the information and pictures, along with internet references, to write her papers. Without the geographical index the book would be very hard to use, as the places are arranged in the order that UNESCO declared them World Heritage Sites. Still, I'm glad I purchased this one, and I'm sure I'll refer to it many times in the future.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the national Parks the most, they had cool pictures and makes you wonder about them more than historical structures.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to look through and see where one has visited- or use it to suggest places to visit soon.

[Jean-claude Linossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference book.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a world traveler I have a great interest in UNESCO and this is a great resource and reference book to search new sites to see, as well as reaquaint myself with the ones I have visited.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointing that there aren’t photos of about half the sites.

[Anup Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to world travellers to know about historical & natural world heritage sites
World Heritage Sites: A Complete Guide to 981 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, written by UNESCO experts, is a mesmerizing account of 981 entries from 160 countries and from every continent. This book depicts the beauty and diversity of these sites as reflected in over 650 specially selected photographs. This book is very helpful to world travellers to know about historical and natural world heritage sites located in the countries they are planning to visit. Its 5th edition is now available in 2014 with 981 entries.

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible. I have always been interested in architecture, history, nature and culture and this book combined them all beautifully. Over 800 sites, listed by the order they were added to the list. You got to learn about culture, natural beauty, history, architecture and so much more. Some of the favorite sites I read about were Carthage, Petra, the Forbidden City and the Great Barrier Reef. There were many places that I had never heard of and were fascinating to learn about. In addition, there were many places on the list I did know about, but did not know were World Heritage Sites. I highly recommend this.

[Jessica-Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

World Heritage Sites is a great book for both basic reference and discovery. From each page there are amazing photographs of places most of us can only dream of seeing, pieces of world history.

The information given for each location is good and it gives a starting point in which you can then go out and research about more specific locals and details.

Excellent for the day dreaming explorer in me I can't get enough of flipping through these pages.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is nice. A laundry list of all the places/sites that are recognized by UNESCO with some historical background for each. NIce photos--unfortunately many sites have no photo--a dreaming book for possible future travels. Unfortunately arranged in chronological order, from when each site was declared a Heritage site.

[Aoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice coffee table read.

Pros:
The immense number of sites covered is enough to take you on a whirlwind tour around the world.

Cons:
With its size, it's a handy reference book, but you can't use it for a more in depth read. There are beautiful photos for only half the monuments, which is a shame- because I love encyclopedias with that wow factor.

[K. 🦉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, I read this book and discovered places that I had never heard of before. There are a wide range of places that will intrigue the reader and encourage them to seek out additional information. I imagine that many will be adding some of these sites to their travel destination wish lists.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I read half of it anyway. Wish they had photos for every site. Panama, Costa Rica, India, Croatia, Portugal, Bulgaria, Peru, Turkey, Wrangell-St. Elias and the Canadian Railway are my new destinations.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dynamite book! The photography is excellent!! The criteria to become a World Heritage Site is fascinating. I would love to se so many of these sites. What a dream trip that would be. Very highly recommended to all!

[Tessa in Mid-Michigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos and interesting articles, if somewhat repetitive and pedantic. The paperback is heavy and unwieldy, but worth the effort

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to love this book when I was a kid....looking at all the beautiful pictures and wishing I could see some of the places!