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Incredible natural beauty, amazing archaeological treasures, historic cityscape — what makes a destination worthy of UNESCO World Heritage status?
A stunning selection of must-see spots are among the 2018 nominees to join the extensive list of World Heritage properties.
Currently in session in Manama, Bahrain, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is debating which sites to add to its catalog.
So far, the Ancient City of Qalhat in Oman, known for its incredible archaeological remains, is among the sites already awarded World Heritage Status. So has Al-Ahsa Oasis, an evolving cultural landscape in Saudi Arabia, and Kenya’s Thimlich Ohinga archaeological site.
Nominees still to be debated include the funeral and memorial sites of World War I in Belgium and France and — one for fizz fans — the beautiful Prosecco Hills of Italy’s Conegliano and Valdobbiadene areas.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets annually to review additions to the list, which must be deemed of “outstanding universal value” to warrant inclusion. Representatives from 21 countries assess the options.
The first list was published in 1978 and included Yellowstone National Park in the United States and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.
Four decades later, UNESCO World Heritage status is highly coveted among tourist destinations across the world, often credited with bringing in more visitors.
This year’s additions fall into different categories. Some are cultural properties such as the Caliphate City of Medina Azahara, a palatial city built in the 10th century near Cordoba, Spain. This one-time Arab Muslim medieval town is now a collection of vast, beautiful ruins.
Natural sites have also made the cut. These include South Africa’s Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains and the awe-inspiring Fanjingshan mountain in China.
UNESCO is expected to conclude its deliberations by July 4, meantime there have been other revelations coming out of Bahrain.
The Committee decided to remove the world’s second largest coral reef, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve system, from the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger.
The reef has been on the list for the past nine years, but after what UNESCO calls a “visionary” plan by the government of Belize, it’s deemed no longer in extreme peril.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/unesco-2018-world-heritage-sites/index.html