What is a UNESCO Heritage site?

Travel experts explain what makes a Unesco site have that designation. There are several Unesco Heritage sites spread across all the corners of the world. These can be found in different geographical locations, and one characteristic common to all these places is their uniqueness and unrivaled natural or cultural significance. But not all scenic spots can get the nod to be a Unesco heritage site; a certain threshold must be met. So what is a Unesco heritage site?

Visit the Ancient Greek Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. Parthenon is a top tourist attraction of Athens

Before being included in the list of world heritage sites, a site must have an “outstanding universal value” and satisfy at least one of several criteria that the World Heritage Committee considers. Let us consider the different qualities that make a special place fit to be viewed as a world heritage site:

A masterpiece of human creativity

The location in question should represent a certain kind of milestone that can be credited to the genius of human creativity. This could be a piece of artistry, an item of architecture, or any other wonder that a human(s) was responsible as the association of American resorts explains.

East Mebon Prasat temple of Angkor Wat at Siem Reap on Cambodia

Interchange of values

It should display a significant reciprocation of human values over a specified period or within a particular cultural context. This is usually related to architecture, technology, development, great arts, landscape design, or town-planning.

Machu Picchu, Peru. UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World

Proof of cultural tradition

It should be a unique or exceptional testimony to the cultural tradition or civilization of a people that is either living or become extinct.

Chichen Itza, Mayan pyramid of Kukulcan El Castillo at sunset

Importance in human history

It should be an excellent example of a building, technological or architectural monument or landscape that exhibits a crucial stage or stages in the history of humanity.

It should be a unique example of conventional land use, human settlement, or sea-use that represents a culture or social interactions with the environment. More so if it has become susceptible to the effects of a specific irreversible change.

Delhi Gate of Red Fort in Delhi. A UNESCO world heritage site in India

A heritage related to events with a global significance

It should have a tangible link to activities or traditions, ideas, beliefs, artistry, or literary productions of incredible universal importance. The World Heritage Committee dictates that this particular criterion should be used alongside other measures.

Petra, Jordan — it is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan’s most-visited tourist attraction. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985

A Natural Phenomenon

The site should consist of a supreme natural event or be an area of unique natural attraction and scenic beauty, the kind that you rarely come across.

Exotic waterfall and lake landscape of Plitvice Lakes National Park, UNESCO natural world heritage and famous travel destination of Croatia. The lakes are located in central Croatia

Critical stages in the History of the Earth

It should be a one-of-a-kind representation of essential scenes in the history of the earth’s evolution, including certain records of life, critical geological processes in landforms development that are still taking place, or critical physiographic and geomorphic features.

Tourists visit the Pantheon in Rome. Ancient Pantheon is one of the best-known sights of Rome. Interior of Roman Pantheon. People are inside the famous Pantheon.

Crucial biological and ecological processes

It should be a significant manifestation of on-going biological or environmental processes in the development or evolution of coastal, terrestrial, freshwater, or marine ecosystems and plant or animal communities.

The Grand Canyon Horseshoe Bend on Colorado River, Arizona

Significant Natural territory for biodiversity

It should have the most critical natural habitats for the preservation of biological diversity. This includes homes to threatened animal or plant species of extreme universal value as far as science and conservation are concerned.