Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae

country. Egypt

year of inscription. 1979 

criteria. Cultural

The Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae WHS is located in the governorate of Aswan. It comprises monuments from the Nubian civilisation, which was closely intertwined with ancient Egyptian civilisation. These monuments include places of worship such as the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae.

In 1954, Egypt firmed up plans to build a new dam across the Nile at Aswan. Known as the Aswan High Dam, construction was to begin in 1960, and the resultant reservoir formed would submerge many Nubian monuments constructed in the locale, Hence, in 1959, Egypt and Sudan requested for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to help them save the monuments. In 1960, UNESCO launched an international fundraising project in support of these efforts. With the aid of an international team, many of the monuments were relocated to higher grounds, safe from the flood waters. The campaign ended in 1980 and was declared a success. The success of this campaign inspired others, for saving sites such as Venice and its lagoons in Italy, the Moenjodaro in Pakistan, and the Borobudur in Indonesia.

Consequently, between 1965 and 1972, the UNESCO, working together with other heritage convention proposals by the International Convention on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the United States government, drafted a convention to protect cultural and natural heritage in other parts of the world; it was signed in 1972 and effected in 1975. In 1978, the first twelve World Heritage Sites were inscribed.

Ujung Kulon National Park

country. Indonesia

year of inscription. 1991

criteria. Natural

Ujung Kulon National Park is located in the province of Banten, on the southwestern tip of Java island and includes several offshore islands. The site is important for being home to a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, including many endangered species. One of the offshore islands that is part of the park is the volcanic island of Krakatua, whose eruption in 1883 led to devastating effects and impacts. Thence, the park is also of important geological scientific interest.

Sydney Opera House

country. Australia
year of inscription. 2007

criteria. Cultural

The Sydney Opera House is located in the state of New South Wales. Designed by Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, and completed in 1973, its complex form represents the creativity and innovation in 20th century CE architectural design as well as engineering and building achievements.

The Great Wall

country. China

year of inscription. 1987

criteria. Cultural

The origins of the Great Wall can be traced to 220BCE, when, under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications were linked to provide a unified defense system against invasions from the north. Construction continued from the 3rd century BCE to 17th century CE, in the Ming Dynasty. With a total length of some 20,000km, it runs from Jiayuguan in Gansu province eastwards to Shanhaiguan in Hebei province, across seven provinces of Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, and Liaoning, as well as the two municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin.

Komodo National Park

country. Indonesia

year of inscription. 1991

criteria. Natural

Komodo National Park is composed of the three islands of Komodo, Padar, and Rinca, located in the  province of East Nusa Tenggara. The climate and geography of the islands have led to the evolution of endemic flora and fauna, including the famed giant lizard, the Komodo dragon. Additionally, the park is home to other distinctive fauna, both terrestrial and marine.

Borobudur Temple Compounds

country. Indonesia

year of inscription. 1991

criteria. Cultural

This Buddhist temple, located in the province of Central Java, dates back to the 8th and 9th century CE. Constructed during the Syailendra Dynasty, its architecture reflects Buddhist concepts of cosmology. It is composed of three tiers: a base of five concentric square terraces, a middle trunk of a cone with three circular platforms, and topped by a stupa. Its walls and balustrades are decorated with carved reliefs, and on the circular platforms are 72 stupas, each containing a statue of Buddha. The temple was abandoned sometime during the 15th century CE, rediscovered in the 19th century CE, and restored in the 20th century CE.

Prambanan Temple Compounds

country. Indonesia

year of inscription. 1991

criteria. Cultural

The Prambanan Temple compounds, located on the border of Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces, is composed of Prambanan Temple and other nearby temples, creating a complex of 240 temples. These Hindu and Buddhist temples were built during the Sailendra Dynasty in the 8th century CE. Prambanan Temple itself is a Hindu temple. Sited atop its three concentric squares are three temples dedicated to the Hindu triumvirate of Hindu deities - Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma - and three temples dedicated to their vahana (animal-vehicles).

Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy

country. Indonesia

year of inscription. 2012

criteria. Cultural

This cultural landscape is composed of rice farmlands on both flat land and terraces, their water irrigation management systems, as well as the relevant, associated water temples that are found on the island-province of Bali. This social system is known as subak and it dates back to the 9th century CE. It is based on a Balinese religious-philosophical concept, the Tri Hita Karana, which harmonises the realms of the spirit, the human world, and nature.

Statue of Liberty

country. United States of America

year of inscription. 1984

criteria. Cultural

The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi, in collaboration with engineer Gustave Eiffel, and made in Paris. It was a gift from France to the United States on the occasion of the centenary of American independence in 1876. Its construction was recognised as an engineering feat of its time. Erected atop a pedestal designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt, placed at the entrance to New York Harbor, and inaugurated in 1886, the sculpture has been a symbol of welcome for the millions of migrants who entered the United States through the harbour.

Paris, Banks of the Seine

PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

country. France

year of inscription. 1991

criteria. Cultural