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India has many UNESCO world heritage sites. Photo/The Travel
WASHINGTON – When it comes to cultural riches and natural wonders, certain countries shine brightly on the global stage by hosting many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In a world filled with cultural and natural wonders, certain countries have gained global recognition for their extraordinary natural wealth.
Here are the 10 countries with the most UNESCO world heritage sites.
1. Italia
Foto/The Travel
According to The Travel, Italy has an extraordinary 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the highest number ever
any country among the 1,157 World Heritage Sites around the world.
These sites include iconic destinations such as Piazza del Duomo in Florence, the historic centers of Rome and Venice, and the stunning Dolomites mountains. Notably, Verona, the city of star-crossed lovers, and the active stratovolcano Mount Etna also receive UNESCO protection.
2. China
China has a rich heritage with 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stretching far beyond the famous Great Wall. The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in Southern Yunnan cover an area of 16,603 hectares and have been carefully cultivated by the Hani people for more than 1,300 years, creating a mesmerizing view as mist covers the layered ponds.
The Silk Road network, which stretches for 5,000 kilometers and has a history of nearly two millennia, is another extraordinary site. Qufu preserves Confucian temples, burial grounds and family homes, offering deep insight into Chinese philosophy and culture.
3. Germany
Germany’s cultural riches include 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the sites of the influential Bauhaus School in Weimar and Dessau. The beautiful Cologne Cathedral, an extraordinary Gothic masterpiece spanning 632 years of construction, adds to the nation’s heritage.
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel features a Hercules monument and charming water features. The Wadden Sea, spanning the North Sea, is the world’s largest unbroken system of tidal sand and mud flats and is home to a diverse array of marine life.
4. France
Foto/The Travel
France has nearly 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sharing fourth place with Spain. While Paris boasts famous sites such as the banks of the River Seine and Notre-Dame Cathedral, exploring outside the capital will reveal treasures such as the Gothic monastery of Mont Saint-Michel and the famous Champagne hillsides.
The Porto Bay nature reserve, part of the Corsica Regional Natural Park, features extraordinary bushland and pristine waters teeming with marine life, attracting seagulls, cormorants and sea eagles.
5. Spanish
Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the extraordinary architectural creations of Antoni Gaudí, not only in Barcelona but also at the famous pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela and the dramatic landscape of the Mont Perdu canyon in the Pyrénées.
The remote Las Médulas mountain peak, once a Roman gold mining site, provides a unique historical perspective. Ibiza holds UNESCO status for its extraordinary marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as its famous club scene. This ecosystem supports a diversity of marine life, including Mediterranean seagrasses.
6. India
India is home to an incredible collection of 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of the most iconic being the Taj Mahal in Agra. This magnificent ivory marble mausoleum is celebrated globally and is even recognized as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World.
Right next door, we find Agra’s historic Red Fort, which also holds a coveted spot on UNESCO’s list of cultural treasures. India’s UNESCO listing doesn’t stop at cultural wonders; it expands to include 32 cultural sites and seven natural sites. Among these natural wonders is the vast and wild wilderness of Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
7. Mexico
Mexico’s cultural tapestry is rich and storied, with a legacy that stretches throughout history. This dynamic country proudly boasts an impressive 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a testament to the extraordinary depth and diversity of its rich culture.