Exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Tuck away in a corner of the library, a National Geographic magazine up at eye level. There I was engulfed in the images before me, dreaming of exploring the world. Again little did I know an hour has passed and my mom was yet again looking for me. This was often the case on Saturday mornings during my preteens.

At the age of 12, I received an A3 size atlas. I would often lie flat on my tummy in front of the telly. My gaze following my fingers as it passed along roads and mountains on the maps, with little snippet highlights of sites and places. These were my first encounters with UNESCO World Heritage sites.

UNESCO sites are glimpses of the past, giving insight into the history of our world. From how various cultures and societies lived centuries ago, to what shaped our history. And the way of interacting, communication and developed, preserved for future generations.

So what is UNESCO world heritage site & how does the list work?

UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. To be placed on the list, a building, wilderness, or historical ruin needs to meet one of the 10 criteria; six cultural and four natural criteria. The list is reviewed each year, and as of 2020, there are 1,121 properties on the list: 869 of cultural significance, 213 of natural significance, and 39 of mixed value and 53 in danger. (“World heritage list,” n.d.)