The fifteen most famous world heritage sites are untouchable unesco fund. Russian World Heritage Sites

World Heritage: Everything you need to know about the world's landmarks inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

World Heritage refers to objects of cultural or natural value for the whole world. The decision to include a site on the World Heritage List is made by UNESCO with the participation of invited experts. After being included in the List, the object comes under the protection of international law, and UNESCO monitors its safety. This organization also reserves the right to exclude objects from the List for one reason or another. So, for example, it happened with the German Dresden - experts considered that the new transport bridge across the Elbe violates the unity of the architectural and natural complex of the old city.

As of the end of 2011, the 1972 Convention was signed by 188 states, the World Material Heritage List on the same date includes 936 objects (unique architectural ensembles, works of art, nature reserves) from 153 countries, of which 725 were created by man, 183 - by nature and 28 refer to mixed natural and cultural objects. A complete list broken down by country can be viewed on the official website. Objects in danger of extinction are marked in red.

In 2003, a convention was adopted on the protection also of the intangible cultural heritage (Intangible Cultural Heritage). By the end of 2011, 139 countries had ratified it. The List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity includes folk festivals, carnivals, ceremonies and genres of folk art - music, dance, oral epic tradition, theater, calligraphy, fine arts, traditional crafts and crafts. By the end of 2011, there are 267 such facilities, two of which are located on the territory of the Russian Federation. This is the culture of Semey (descendants of Russian Old Believers who preserved the pre-Petrine Russian way of life) and the Yakut epic olonkho.

Guilin National Park

As for the material objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, there are 24 of them in our country. The most famous, of course, are the Moscow Kremlin with Red Square, the historical center of St. Petersburg, the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad, Lake Baikal, the volcanoes of Kamchatka, the golden mountains of Altai, the Kizhi churchyard on Kizhi Island in Lake Onega, the ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent, the historical center of Yaroslavl, the architectural monuments of Veliky Novgorod, Vladimir, Suzdal, the Ferapontov Monastery and the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye.

It is incredibly difficult to choose the very best of those that are outside the Russian Federation. One of these wonderful places is Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus, more than others are the megalithic structure Stonehenge in England and the "Lost City" Machu Picchu - the most mysterious monument of Inca culture in the world. We also like the royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal, the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre National Park in Italy and the town of Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic.

We will tell you more about several amazing man-made monuments and natural wonders honored to be under the protection of UNESCO.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The ruins of almost 1000 temples of several capitals of the Khmer Empire of the 9th-15th centuries have been preserved here. Among them are the famous temple of Angkor Wat and the Bayon temple in Angkor Thom with a huge amount of sculptural decorations. Every year more than a million tourists come to Cambodia to see these places of worship with their own eyes.

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Al-Hijr is the largest surviving archaeological site of the Nabataean civilization, located in Saudi Arabia. 111 tombstones (1st century BC - 1st century AD), many of which are luxuriously decorated, a system of wells, as well as almost 50 inscriptions from the pre-Nabathean era, and several cave drawings are well preserved here.

Los Glaciares National Park is a picturesque area in Argentina, with many glacial lakes, including Argentino, 160 km long. The local glacier is the third largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. Massive blocks of ice often break off from its edge, forming massive icebergs.

The ancient city of Petra in Jordan has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Caravan routes between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia passed through Petra, located near the Red and Dead Seas. Half built, half carved into the rocks and surrounded by mountains, Petra combines ancient oriental traditions with Hellenistic architecture.

The Sydney Opera House is one of the outstanding architectural structures of the 20th century. The opera building consists of three interconnected "shells", which house the main halls for performances and a restaurant. These "shells" lie on a wide base, where walking terraces and squares are equipped. The structure of an unusual shape is located on the cape of the peninsula in Sydney Bay and fits perfectly into the landscape of the ocean coast.

The 18 km long Pontcysillte Aqueduct in Wales, built at the beginning of the 19th century, is a masterpiece of construction from the Industrial Revolution. More than 200 years after its discovery, it is still in use for its intended purpose and handles about 15,000 boats a year. This aqueduct is also an unusual monument to plumbers and plumbing.

Dolomites, Italy

The Summer Palace and Imperial Park in Beijing is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape art. It was first built in 1750, restored in 1886 after the destruction caused by the war of 1860. Natural objects - hills and open water - are skillfully woven into the architectural ensemble, harmoniously combined with pavilions, palaces, temples and bridges.

Included on the World Heritage List and the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Vatican City State, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Venice with its lagoon, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra, as well as the Iguazu National Park on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

The best countries and destinations for sightseeing tours

All articles about excursion tours on the "Subtlety"

  • Austria Vienna
  • Balkans: Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey (Istanbul), Croatia and Montenegro
  • United Kingdom: England, London and its 10 free attractions, Scotland
  • Spain: Barcelona and Madrid
  • Italy: Venice, Rome, Sicily
  • Baltic States: Latvia (Riga)
  • Scandinavia: Norway, Finland
  • France: Paris and its

There are many beautiful buildings, natural phenomena and other unique objects in the world that delight people. And the task of each generation is to preserve this wealth and pass it on to descendants. The most valuable sights fall into a special list.

About World Heritage Sites

It is terrible to think that the descendants will not see, for example, the Acropolis or, meanwhile, this can happen, if not in the near future, then in several generations. That is why one of the primary tasks of mankind is to preserve and increase the cultural and natural wealth of the planet.

For this purpose, a special list was created, which includes World Heritage sites located on the territory of various countries and regions. There are many, they are diverse, and each is unique in its own way.

General information about the list

The idea of ​​a list of the most valuable objects in the world was first implemented in 1978, after the UN Convention was adopted six years earlier, declaring a common responsibility for the preservation of the most significant cultural and natural monuments.

At the end of 2014, the list contains 1007 titles. In the top ten in terms of the number of World Heritage sites are Italy, China, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, India, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States. In total, there are 359 items included in the list on their territory.

There are a number of criteria according to which the list is expanded. They include the uniqueness or exclusivity of a particular place or building from different points of view: its inhabitants, structures, evidence of an important stage in the development of civilizations, etc. Therefore, sometimes in the list you can find objects that are quite unexpected for someone.

Categories and examples

All the diversity of the World Heritage is divided into three conditional groups: cultural, natural and cultural-natural. The first category is the most numerous, it includes 779 items, for example, the building of the Opera House in Sydney. The second group contains 197 objects, including Belovezhskaya Pushcha and the Grand Canyon. The last category is the smallest - only 31 monuments, but they combine both natural beauty and human intervention: Machu Picchu, Meteora monasteries, etc.

For some reason, people are used to first of all admiring buildings and creations of their own efforts, forgetting about natural beauties. And in vain, because in fact it is also a World Cultural Heritage.

In Russia

On the territory of the Russian Federation there are 26 monuments included in the UNESCO list. Of these, 15 are classified as cultural, and the remaining 11 are natural. They are located all over the country and include truly unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Russia.

For the first time, the Russian Federation added to the list of countries on whose territory there are monuments to human and natural genius, in 1990, when the list was replenished with the Kizhi churchyard and the historical center of St. Petersburg. In the future, the World Heritage of Russia has been regularly updated and still continues to expand. The list includes reserves, monasteries, geological monuments and many other objects. So, in 2014, the Bulgar historical and archaeological complex, which is located in Tatarstan, was included in the World Heritage List of Russia.

Full list

The World Heritage Sites of Russia are mostly known to many citizens. But someone will find for themselves unfamiliar points that they may want to visit, so it is better to give a complete list:

  • the historical center and monuments of St. Petersburg;
  • Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow;
  • Kizhi churchyard;
  • Veliky Novgorod and its environs;
  • white monuments of Suzdal and Vladimir;
  • Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye;
  • Trinity-Sergius Lavra;
  • Komi forests;
  • lake Baikal;
  • Kamchatka volcanoes;
  • natural reserve Sikhote-Alin;
  • golden Altai mountains;
  • Ubsu-Nur lake basin;
  • Western Caucasus;
  • Kazan Kremlin;
  • Ferapontov Monastery;
  • Curonian Spit;
  • the old city of Derbent;
  • Wrangel Island;
  • Novodevichy Convent;
  • historical center of Yaroslavl;
  • Struve arc;
  • the Putorana plateau;
  • Lena Pillars;
  • complex "Bulgar".

Another point is related to the political events of 2014 - the ancient city of Khersones is located on the Crimean peninsula, which is also included in the World Cultural Heritage. Russia actually has something to strive for, because there are many more unique objects on the territory of the country, and each of them can eventually enter the UNESCO list. In the meantime, it is still worth learning more about those monuments that are already on this list. After all, it’s not for nothing that they were included there?

Natural

Russia is a huge country, the largest on the planet in terms of territory. 9 time zones, 4 climatic and a huge number of different zones. It is not surprising that the World Natural Heritage of Russia is quite numerous and diverse - 11 objects. There are huge forests, clean and deep lakes, natural phenomena of amazing beauty.

  • Virgin forests of Komi. They are considered the largest untouched forests in Europe. They were included in the World Heritage of Russia in 1995. Many species of rare representatives of flora and fauna grow and live on their territory.
  • Lake Baikal. It is the deepest on the planet. Listed in 1996. Many species living in the lake are endemic.
  • Volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula. They are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Included in the World Heritage Sites of Russia in 1996.
  • Altai. Listed since 1998. Includes habitats of rare representatives of flora and fauna.
  • Caucasian reserve. It is located in three constituent entities of the Russian Federation: the Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea. Listed since 1999.
  • Central Sikhote-Alin. A natural reserve located in the Primorsky Territory. Many rare species of animals live on its territory. Entered the UNESCO list in 2001.
  • Curonian spit. This unique object is a sand body stretching across the Baltic Sea for almost 100 kilometers. There are a large number of interesting places on the territory of the spit, for example, the famous "Dancing Forest", and the seasonal migration route of many birds also lies through it. Listed in 2000.
  • Ubsu-Nur basin. Located on the border of the Russian Federation and Mongolia. The hollow was included in the list in 2003 according to the criteria of international scientific importance and the conservation of biological and landscape diversity.
  • Wrangel Island. It is divided into almost equal halves between the Western and Eastern hemispheres. Most of its territory is occupied by mountains. Rare plants grow here, which, among other things, was the reason for the inclusion of the object in the UNESCO list in 2004 under the number 1023.
  • It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010. Here are the migration routes of large populations of reindeer, as well as a unique combination of ecosystems.
  • Lena pillars. At the moment, the last World Natural Heritage site in Russia. Was listed in 2012. In addition to its aesthetic importance, this object is valuable for the uniqueness of the geological processes taking place here.

man-made

The objects of the World Cultural Heritage of Russia, of course, include not only natural monuments, but the results of human labor.

  • Historical center of St. Petersburg. Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow. The hearts of both capitals entered the list at the same time - in 1990 - and immediately according to four criteria.
  • Kizhi. This unique ensemble of wooden buildings was also included in the UNESCO list in 1990. This real wonder of the world not only demonstrates the genius of mankind, but also surprisingly harmonizes with the surrounding nature.
  • In 1992, UNESCO added 3 more sights to its list: the monuments of Novgorod, Suzdal and Vladimir, as well as
  • The Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye, listed in 1993 and 1994 respectively, are known for their beauty to everyone - many residents of Moscow and the Moscow region regularly visit there.
  • in the Vologda Oblast was included in the list in 2000, as well as
  • Monuments of the city of Derbent in Dagestan - 2003.
  • in Moscow - 2004.
  • The historical center of Yaroslavl - 2005.
  • (2 points), which helped to establish the shape, size and some other parameters of the planet - 2005.
  • Architectural and historical complex Bulgar - 2014.

As can be seen, the objects of the World Cultural Heritage of Russia are mostly concentrated in the European part, which is due to the peculiarities of the development of the territory.

Applicants

Russia's World Heritage List may expand significantly in the coming years. The Government of the Russian Federation regularly offers the UN new applicants, unique and beautiful in their own way. Now there are 24 more objects that can be included in the main list of UNESCO.

Endangered

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to preserve the World Heritage. Fortunately, this does not threaten Russia yet, all of its monuments included in the list are in relative safety. UNESCO regularly edits and publishes a special list of unique sites in danger. Now it consists of 38 items. Natural and cultural monuments are on this “alarming” list for various reasons: poaching, deforestation, construction and reconstruction projects that violate the historical appearance, climate change, etc. In addition, the worst enemy of World Heritage is time, which is impossible win. And yet, from time to time, monuments are removed from this list, most often due to an improvement in the situation. But there are also sad examples when the situation has deteriorated so much that the objects simply ceased to be included in the World Heritage. Russia has nothing to fear yet, although the ecological situation in some parts of the country may affect many natural monuments. And then, perhaps, for the Russian Federation, the “alarming” list will become relevant.

UNESCO action

Inclusion in the list is not only and not so much prestige, but first of all, increased attention to the safety and condition of certain objects on the part of a larger number of organizations. UNESCO also stimulates the development of eco-tourism and increases people's awareness of the uniqueness of monuments. Among other things, there is a special fund that finances the maintenance of facilities.

Machu Picchu, which is translated from the Inca language as "Old Peak", is a legendary city built by the Incas in a lush mountainous area, on the peak of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu is recognized as one of the new wonders of the world, it is one of the most stunning places in the world. Dthe ancient city of the Incas cascades down the steep slopes on each side of the mountain, in separate terraces. HThe incredible ruins of Machu Picchu have been partially restored and are well maintained, giving visitors a good idea of ​​what the city might have looked like in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Thousands of ancient temples, stupas and monasteries stretch endlessly in Pagan, the ancient capital of the kingdom of the same name. Here, the silhouettes of the temple spiers against the backdrop of sunrise or sunset are a magical sight worth a trip to this still unexplored country. The area is known for having the largest concentration of Buddhist temples in the world, many of which were built in 1000 and 1100 when Bagan was the capital of a pagan kingdom, the first kingdom to unify the regions that later became modern Myanmar. According to the Burmese chronicles, Pagan was founded in the second century AD, and in 849 became the capital of the kingdom under King Pingbya, the 34th successor of the founder of early Pagan. Some temples and stupas have been restored, while others are just ruins. They vary in size and levels of architectural complexity, creating an intriguing mix of structures that compel travelers to scrutinize every temple they see.


In a unique jungle setting, not far from the city of Siem Reap, is another historic UNESCO World Heritage Site - Angkor Wat, which is known as the largest religious monument in the world. angkor watwas built by the Khmers in the 12th century and its architecture is stunning.Huge stone carved faces peer in all directions.Extensive and intricate bas-reliefs line the walls and doorways.Destructive passages and steep stone stairs require scouting before traversing them.Until its fall in the 15th century, Angkor Wat was the largest city in the world.


Stretching for a fantastic 8,800 kilometers through thick forests and steep mountain slopes, across the rivers and lakes of northern China, this is the Great Wall of China, deservedly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Wall of China is one of those undeniable sights that has been inspiring great adventures for travelers from all over the world for centuries. The construction of the wall began as early as the 3rd century BC, and the most popular section of the Great Wall of China is Badaling, which is located just 75 kilometers from Beijing.


One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, the Roman Colosseum is the largest building left from Roman times.Its imposing presence in the heart of the modern cityRomeis a testament to the incredible history of the city and the achievements of the Roman Empire. Travelers who saw the Colosseum for the first time are amazed at the huge size of this structure, given that they began to build itin 72 AD Today, the Roman Colosseum is still one of the largest and most popular tourist attractions in the world.


Rising aboveAthenson top of the hill, the Acropolis stands as a proud monument of Ancient Greece. StructuresThe 5th and 4th centuries BC dominate the Acropolis, but the most famous is the Parthenon, the largest and most recognizable monument of ancient culture, it symbolizes the amazing history of this country.Steps away from modern Athens, the Acropolis is a powerful sight, sparkling under the Mediterranean sun during the day and spectacularly lit at night.


7

This incredible prehistoric monument is one of England's most visited attractions and certainly a unique destination, attracting large numbers of tourists from all over the world every year. This huge prehistoric megalithic structure is located 130 kilometers northwest of London.It is assumed that this monument was erected between 3000-1500 BC, but there is no information about its origin or purpose of construction, which leads to various speculations and myths, some of which indicate religious or astronomical significance.As a result, a ring of Bronze Age stones has an almost mystical charm, especially during the summer and winter solstices when the light from sunrise and sunset is aligned with the stones. stonehenge, located near the citySalisbury.


A dramatic, narrow mountain gorge allows access to the ancient city of Petra, a stone city with residential buildings and temples carved into the sandy rocks.This ancient Nabatean capital has roots that can be traced back to the 5th century BC.Discovered at the beginning of the 18th century, it was called the "pink city" because of the color of the rocks and for obvious reasons, the "carved city".Located in a mountainous area with limited access, it occupied a strategic position on an important trade route in the region.Today, Petra is the main attraction of Jordan.


Borobudur is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world and by far the most famous landmark in Indonesia.Set in lush tropical surroundings, with mountains and volcanoes, Borobudur looks stunning and calming.This massive temple complex, located on the island of Java, near the city of Yogyakarta, was built in the 700s, but after 200 years abandoned and forgotten for many centuries due to volcanic eruptions in the area, it remained relatively serene for centuries . Borobudurwas discovered in the 18th century by the British and later restored.


10. Tikal, Guatemala

The ancient Mayan city of Tikal is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.Central America. Located in the northernGuatemala, insurrounded by impenetrable jungle, this ancient city consists of over 3,000 buildings. The Maya inhabited Tikal between 600 B.C. and up to 900 AD. Ancient pyramids, temples, plazas and foundations of all kinds of buildings show a complex society that once had hundreds of thousands of people. Tikalwas reopened in the middle of the 18th century and opened to tourists in the 1950s.Part of the city has been restored, but work continues, and some areas are still in the impenetrable jungle and are waiting in the wings.The ruins are located in the Tikal National Park, a biosphere reserve protecting the forest and wildlife in the area.


During the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, which is taking place these days in Cambodia, the UNESCO World Heritage List was replenished with 19 new items - these are 14 cultural and 5 natural sites. In addition, the boundaries of three objects were expanded.

To date, the World Heritage List has 981 sites in 160 member countries of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage - 759 cultural, 193 natural and 29 mixed sites. During the 37th session, which will last until June 27, 5 natural objects of Europe, Asia, South America and Africa were added to the list.

Natural objects:

Tajik National Park "Pamir Mountains" (Tajikistan)

"Pamir Mountains" is the first natural site of Tajikistan in the World Heritage List. The total area of ​​the park is over 2.5 million hectares. It is located in the east of Tajikistan, in the center of the so-called Pamir mountain junction, from which the highest mountain ranges of Eurasia diverge. Alpine plateaus are located in the eastern part of the object, and pointed peaks are located in the western part, the height of some of them exceeds 7 thousand meters. There are 170 rivers, over 400 lakes and at least 1,085 glaciers, including the longest mountain valley glacier outside the polar regions. The park also serves as a habitat for rare and endangered species of birds and mammals in Tajikistan.

For example, the Marco Polo mountain sheep (Ovis ammon polii), the snow leopard irbis and the Siberian mountain goat live here. Since strong earthquakes are not uncommon in this area, the territory of the park is sparsely populated and practically does not experience the influence of agriculture and permanent settlements. The park provides unique opportunities for studying the overlay and plate tectonics of the earth's crust.

El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Gran Desierto de Altar (Mexico)


The object with a total area of ​​714,566 hectares consists of two separate parts. To the east is a rocky desert and a hardened volcanic plateau formed by black and red lava flows, to the west is the Gran Desierto de Altar desert with a variety of dunes constantly changing shape, some of which reach 200 m in height. Dunes of various shapes wandering here - linear, star-shaped and domed - are adjacent to dry granite massifs up to 650 m high, which, like islands, rise against the background of the sandy sea, enhancing the amazing contrasts of this area. The massifs contain astonishingly diverse communities of plants and animals, including some endemic species, such as the pronghorn Antilocapra americana sonoriensis, which lives only in the north of the Sonoran Desert and in the southwest of Arizona, USA.

Another distinctive feature of the object, emphasizing its exceptional beauty, are 10 huge deep craters, almost perfectly round, formed, presumably, as a result of eruptions and collapses. The unique combination of the characteristics of the object determines not only its beauty, but is also of great scientific interest.



Mount Etna (Italy)

The 19,237 hectare site includes an uninhabited area located at the highest point of Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily. Etna is the highest island mountain in the Mediterranean and the most active stratovolcano in the world. It has been established that the history of the eruptions of this volcano is 500 thousand years old, and there is documentary evidence of the volcanic activity of Etna for at least the last 2700 years. The almost continuous volcanic activity of Etna continues to influence the development of volcanology, geophysics and other earth sciences. The volcano determines the basis for the existence of important terrestrial ecosystems and some endemic plant and animal species.

Etna's activity has turned it into a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes. With a range of diverse and observable volcanic features, such as summit craters, ash cones, a lava sheet, and a caldera known as the Valley of the Buffaloes (Valle de Bove), the site has become an important site for research and educational activities.


Namib Desert (Namibia)

The site, which is the only coastal desert in the world, includes an area of ​​more than 3 million hectares and a buffer zone of 899,500 hectares. There are extensive dune fields formed under the influence of fogs, and two dune systems stand out: on top of the old, semi-fixed sands, there are younger mobile dunes. The peculiarity of the object is that its dunes are formed by sand brought by rivers, ocean currents and wind from areas located thousands of kilometers away from the coast.

The property also contains coastal lowlands and pebbly fields, rocky hills rising above the sands, coastal lagoons, dry rivers and other landscapes that combine to create an exceptionally beautiful spectacle. The main source of water in the Namib Desert is fog, which has created a completely unique environment in which endemic species of invertebrates, reptiles and mammals live, able to adapt to constant changes in the microclimate and ecological niches.



Xinjiang - Tien Shan (China)

The object with a total area of ​​606,833 hectares includes several parts: Tomur Peak (Pobeda Peak), Kalajun Steppe, Syuelin Ridge, Bayanbruk Nature Reserve and Bogdo-Ula. They are part of the world's largest mountain system, the Tien Shan, located in Central Asia. Xinjiang - Tien Shan has unique physical and geographical characteristics and is distinguished by picturesque landscapes, including amazing mountain peaks crowned with snow and ice, forests and meadows that have not been touched by a human hand, transparent rivers and lakes, red rock canyons. Next to them are vast desert areas, which creates a vivid visual contrast between the zones of heat and cold, dry and humid climate, desert and abundance of life.

The relief and ecosystems of the object have come down to us since the Pliocene epoch and represent a unique monument of continuous biological and ecological evolutionary processes. The site also includes part of one of the largest highland deserts in the world, Takla Makan, known for its giant dunes and violent sandstorms. In addition, Xinjiang - Tien Shan serves as an important habitat for endemic and relic plant species, some of which are rare and endangered.



Ten natural objects of the Russian Federation are on the UNESCO World Heritage List (4 of them are recognized as natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance), and this is not counting another 15 objects that are cultural objects of protection. This is not at all surprising, because Russia is a truly vast country, with a huge territory, with incredibly beautiful and diverse nature, with a rich cultural heritage.

If you want to see the virgin nature of Russia in its original form, then it will not be difficult for Russians (and foreign tourists too) to go to one of the nature reserves or national parks of the country, on the territory of which these ten objects are located that need constant protection at the international level. level...

1. Forests of the Komi Republic

The area of ​​these forests is more than 3 million hectares, on which there is a national park and a state biosphere reserve. This facility opened a new page for Russia in environmental protection at the global level.

The virgin forests of Komi are known as the largest untouched forests growing in Europe. They occupy an area of ​​32,600 square kilometers in the north of the Ural Mountains, within the Pechero-Ilychsky Reserve and the Yugyd Va National Park. According to their composition, the Komi forests belong to the taiga ecosystem. They are dominated by coniferous trees. The western part of the forests falls on the foothills, the eastern - on the mountains themselves. The forest area of ​​Komi is distinguished by the diversity of not only flora, but also fauna. More than two hundred species of birds live here, 40 species of rare mammals, and 16 species of fish that are considered valuable for fishing, preserved since the Ice Age, live in the reservoirs. For example, Siberian grayling and palia char belong to such fish species. Many inhabitants of the virgin forests of Komi are listed in the Red Book of the planet. This natural object of the Russian Federation was included in the UNESCO list in 1995 - the very first in the list.

2. Lake Baikal

For the whole world, Baikal is a lake, for the people of Russia who are in love with a unique natural object, Baikal is a sea! Located in Eastern Siberia, it is the deepest lake on the planet and, at the same time, the largest natural reservoir of fresh water in terms of volume. The shape of Baikal has the shape of a crescent. The maximum depth of the lake is 1642 meters with an average depth of 744. Baikal contains 19 percent of all fresh water on the planet. The lake is fed by more than three hundred rivers and streams. Baikal water is distinguished by a high content of oxygen. Its temperature rarely exceeds plus 8-9 degrees Celsius even in summer near the surface. The water of the lake is so clean and transparent that it allows you to see in depth at a distance of up to forty meters.

The oldest and deepest (approximately 1700 meters) on Earth, Lake Baikal covers an area of ​​over three million hectares. The reservoir that appeared about 25 million years ago was in almost complete isolation, due to which an amazing ecosystem was formed in its fresh waters, the study of which allows obtaining information about the evolutionary processes taking place on the planet.

Unique even on a global scale, the lake is about 20% of all the reserves of such necessary fresh water on Earth, as well as a delightful sight that inspires beauty and enchants with the luxury of amazing landscapes.

Lake Baikal was named a beautiful pearl by UNESCO in 1996 and included in the list of priceless heritage of the planet.

3. Kamchatka volcanoes .

This site was also included in the World Heritage List in 1996. Five years later (in 2001), the territory of the object subject to international protection expanded due to the movement of lithospheric plates of the Pacific volcanic ring. Today, the territory of the state biosphere reserve is about 4 million hectares. This area is called the "natural museum of volcanology." Both long-extinct and active volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula can serve as exhibits. Moreover, each of the "exhibits" is an individual object, for the study of which life is not enough.

In total, there are currently about 300 extinct volcanoes and 30 active volcanoes on the territory of this object, but the number of the latter changes every year. The most interesting tourist attraction of this region is the Valley of Geysers in the Konotsky Biosphere Reserve. The mountain rivers of Kamchatka abound with huge numbers of salmon fish, and coastal waters are home to many species of whales and dolphins.

4. Altai Mountains

These mountains are called "Golden", as each species of animals, birds and fish is unique here. Altai cedar forests and mammals with the most valuable commercial fur, which can be equated in value with gold, have been preserved here. The object covers an area of ​​more than 1.5 million hectares, was included in the UNESCO list in 1998. The "golden" Altai mountains are located at the intersection of the mountain system of Siberia and Central Asia.

The vegetation of this region is unique, there is an abundance of alpine meadows, there are steppes, semi-deserts and tundra. Absolutely everything is unique here, from snow leopards to mountainous landforms. The pearl of the Altai Territory is Lake Teletskoye, which is also called "Small Baikal".

5. Natural Park "Lena Pillars"

The fabulously beautiful landscapes of the park are formed by hundred-meter rock formations that pacify the waters of the beautiful Lena River. The Lena Pillars are located in the very heart of Sakha (Republic of Yakutia).

Such an amazing natural phenomenon owes its appearance to the continental climate, within which temperature fluctuations reach about one hundred degrees (+40 degrees in summer and -60 degrees in winter). The pillars are separated by deep ravines with steep slopes. Their formation took place under the influence of water, which contributes to the freezing of the soil and its weathering. Similar processes led to the fact that the ravines deepened and expanded. Water in this case plays the role of a destroyer, representing a danger to the pillars.

Introduced in 2012 into the list of heritage of the planet, the Lena Pillars are of interest not only from the point of view of an aesthetic spectacle, it is also a unique archaeological zone, on the territory of which the remains of ancient animals of the Cambrian period were found.

This natural site has an area of ​​1.27 million hectares. If we take into account the geological structure of the soil in the park, then this land can “tell” a lot about the history of the planet, about living organisms and vegetation.

Many remains of mammoths, bison, woolly rhinos, Lena horses, reindeer and other remains of ancient mammals have been found in the Lena Pillars. Today, 12 representatives of animals and birds listed in the Red Book of the planet live on the territory of the complex. It is believed that the Lena Pillars have a huge "aesthetic influence" on a person due to their unique beauty of landscapes, the quaintness of the relief with huge caves, fabulous-looking stone statues, rocky spiers, niches and "towers".

6. Sikhote-Alin Reserve

This territory, included in the UNESCO list in 2001, covers an area of ​​about 0.4 million hectares. The object is valuable because unique broad-leaved forests and ancient coniferous forests have been preserved on its territory. There is also an incredible mixture of different types of flora and fauna, among which there are many rare species.

A large biosphere reserve in Primorsky Krai was originally created to preserve the sable population. At present, it is the most convenient place for observing the life of the Amur tiger. A huge number of plants grow on the territory of the Sikhote-Alin Reserve. More than a thousand higher species, more than a hundred - mosses, about four hundred - lichens, more than six hundred species of algae and more than five hundred - fungi.

The local fauna is represented by a large number of birds, marine invertebrates and insects. Many plants, birds, animals and insects are among the protected objects. lemongrass chinese,ginseng,Fori rhododendron and Palibina edelweiss, spotted deer and Himalayan bear, black crane and stork, Japanese starling, Sakhalin sturgeon, fish owl and Swallowtail butterfly - all of them found shelter in the Sikhote-Alin Reserve.

7. Natural complex of the Wrangel Island Reserve

The protected area, which in 2004 added to the list of UNESCO treasures, is located beyond the Arctic Circle. It includes the relief landscapes of Wrangel Island, whose area is over 7 thousand square meters. kilometers, and Herald Island, whose area is 11 thousand square meters. kilometers, as well as the coastal waters of the East Siberian Sea and the waters of the Chukchi Sea.

This region managed to avoid glaciation, thanks to which the area is distinguished by amazing biological diversity. The harsh climate of the protected area appealed to the walruses, who have formed here the largest rookery in the Arctic. The picturesque land was also chosen by polar bears, the density of their ancestral dens in this region is considered the highest on the planet.

More than fifty species of birds nest here, including both endemics and endangered ones. Gray whales rush here, choosing this place for feeding. Surprisingly, over four hundred species of vascular plants are found on the island, among which there are also endemics.

Here tourists can see the largest "bird colonies" in the Eastern Arctic. Pleistocene relics predominate among plant forms. The landscape of the island is unusual, as well as its water area. Many travelers dream of visiting here.

8. Ubsunur hollow

The area of ​​this unique biosphere reserve is 0.8 million hectares. The object was included in the UNESCO list in 2003. A salt lake with a large area is located on the border of Mongolia and the Russian Republic of Tyva. By the way, only seven sections of the intermountain basin with a shallow lake (up to 15 meters) are located on the territory of Russia, the remaining five parts of the Transboundary Facility are located in Mongolia. Each of the seven sections of the basin on our territory is individual in appearance and the plants that grow there depending on the landscapes.

Inhabitant of the Ubsunur Hollow

WHere you can see the foothills with eternal stretches of snow-capped peaks, there are also areas of mountain taiga, alpine meadows, wetlands, mountain tundra and even sandy deserts. The remnant mountains with bright vegetation and contrasting landscapes give a special picturesqueness to the Ubsunur basin. Endangered species of animals are found here - mountain sheep - argali, snow leopard, as well as many rare species of birds - geese, herons, terns, gulls, shorebirds, etc. During excavations of ancient mounds on the territory of the basin, unique rock paintings, burials and stone sculptures were discovered .

9. Putorana Plateau

Included in the World Heritage List in 2010, this natural site of the Russian Federation covers a total area of ​​more than 1.8 million hectares. This virgin basalt plateau in the north of Eastern Siberia, almost at the Arctic Circle, is invaluable in terms of study by geologists and geomorphologists. The mountainous terrain has a stepped landscape, flat-topped massifs are intersected by deep canyons. The plateau was formed at the turn of the Mesozoic and Paleozoic as a result of volcanic activity. Forty-layer deposits allow us to study the structure of the planet.

Deep cracks in the plateau were formed by glaciers, which subsequently filled with water, forming lakes with a unique appearance and a depth of up to 400 meters. There are many beautiful waterfalls on the territory of the plateau, one of which (in the valley of the Kanda River) has a height of 108 meters. In total, there are 25 thousand small and large lakes with a huge supply of fresh water on the territory of the Putorana Plateau. There are more than 30 species of mammals in this northern reserve, and all of them are rare or relict.

Vegetation is represented by 400 species - mainly woodlands, mountain tundra and larch taiga. The plateau serves as a resting place for thousands of species of migratory birds.

The picturesque landscapes of the beautiful plateau coincide with the boundaries of the reserve of the same name located beyond the Arctic Circle, which adorns the territory of Central Siberia. The changing zones betray each other a special charm of the area: virgin taiga, the richest forest tundra, colorful landscapes of the tundra and the fabulous beauty of the icy Arctic deserts. A real decoration of the plateau: winding ribbons of rivers and a crystal saucer of a lake filled with clear cold water. Through the inhospitable lands of the plateau, a road stretches along which deer migrate. This is an incredible sight, which in nature can be observed less and less.

10. Territories of the Western Caucasus

The nature reserve with an area of ​​0.3 million hectares has been included in the UNESCO list since 1999. These territories are almost untouched by human civilization. Today they are protected not only by UNESCO, but also by other all-Russian and international organizations - Greenpeace, the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, NABU, Dresden Technical University, the North Caucasus working group, etc. The territory of the reserve covers areas that stretch from the upper reaches of the river Kuban to the Belaya and Malaya Laba rivers..

Caucasus. Blooming rhododendron in the Upper Mzymta valley

The vegetation in this protected region is represented by coniferous and broad-leaved forests, crooked forests, mountain meadows, and nival belt. Every third plant here is considered relic. Rare species of birds of prey nest here - ospreys, bearded vultures, golden eagles, griffon vultures, etc. Among the large animals in the reserve, you can see West Caucasian tigers, brown bears, wolves, Caucasian red deer, bison, etc. Tourists will be interested to see beautiful karst formations in this natural area with deep gorges, waterfalls, underground rivers, tarns, moraines, cirques and valleys formed by mountain glaciers.

11. Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit is a sandy spit located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. The Curonian Spit is a narrow and long saber-shaped strip of land separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea and stretching from the city of Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad region to the city of Klaipeda (Smiltyne) (Lithuania).

Length - 98 kilometers, width ranges from 400 meters (near the village of Lesnoy) to 3.8 kilometers (near Cape Bulviko, just north of Nida).

The Curonian Spit is a unique natural and anthropogenic landscape and a territory of exceptional aesthetic value: The Curonian Spit is the largest sand body, which is part of the Baltic sand spits complex, which has no analogues in the world. The high level of biological diversity due to the combination of different landscapes - from desert (dunes) to tundra (raised bog) - gives an idea of ​​important and long-term ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, river, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. The location of the spit and its relief are unique.

The most significant element of the spit relief is a continuous strip of white sand dunes 0.3-1.0 km wide, partly approaching the highest in the world (up to 68 m).

The Curonian Spit contains natural areas that are the most representative and important for the conservation of biological diversity, including those where endangered species are preserved, which are of outstanding world significance in terms of science and nature conservation: due to its geographical position and orientation from northeast to south west it serves as a corridor for migratory birds of many species flying from the northwestern regions of Russia, Finland and the Baltic countries to the countries of Central and Southern Europe. Every year, in spring and autumn, 10 to 20 million birds fly over the spit, most of which stop here for rest and feeding.

In the last entry, I posted not all the architectural objects of Russia, marked by UNESCO for their uniqueness and historical value. Today I will add to this list...

12. Citadel, old city and fortifications of Derbent .

The citadel, the old town and fortifications of Derbent is the collective name under which UNESCO in 2003 added the medieval architectural heritage of the city of Derbent to the World Heritage List.

The history of ancient Derbent, located off the coast of the Caspian Sea, on the territory of modern Dagestan, has, according to archaeologists, five thousand years. This one of the oldest cities in Russia was at first a small settlement founded at the foot of the spurs of the Caucasus Mountains, which later acquired city fortifications of impressive size.

However, the first documentary evidence of this place as a large city dates back to the 5th century. At that time, the Persian king Yazdegerd II ruled here, who appreciated its strategic location. This, by the way, is reflected in the name, because Derbent in Iranian means “mountain outpost” or “mountain pass”. Approximately 100 years later, another king erected a fortified city on the remains of the former defensive structures, which is called Old, with an impregnable fortress and powerful fortifications. Between these fortifications, stretching deep into the Caucasus Mountains for more than 40 kilometers, a city has developed that still retains a medieval character.

Citadel of Nara-kala

It continued to be a strategically important site well into the 19th century. Derbent has experienced many dramatic events throughout its history: wars, assaults, periods of decline and prosperity, times of independence and subjugation to other peoples. But still, this place has preserved many monuments of all these turbulent periods.

This: the citadel of Naryn-kala, with thick and high walls, the ruins of the palace of the Derbent Khan, baths and a guardhouse;


13. Struve geodesic arc

The Struve arc is a network of 265 triangulation points, which were stone cubes buried in the ground with an edge length of 2 meters, with a length of more than 2820 kilometers. It was created to determine the parameters of the Earth, its shape and size. It is named after the creator - the Russian astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (Vasily Yakovlevich Struve).

The Struve geodetic arc was measured by Struve and employees of the Derpt (Tartu) and Pulkovo observatories (whose director was Struve) for 40 years, from 1816 to 1855, over 2820 km from Fuglenes near the North Cape in Norway (latitude 70 ° 40′11″ N) to the village of Staraya Nekrasovka, Odessa region, near the Danube (latitude 45° 20′03″ N), which formed a meridian arc with an amplitude of 25° 20′08″.

Struve geodesic arc, "Point Z", o. Gogland, Leningrad region

Currently, arc points can be found on the territory of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia (on the island of Gogland), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova (Rud village) and Ukraine. On January 28, 2004, these countries applied to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee with a proposal to approve the remaining 34 points of the Struve Arc as a World Heritage Site. In 2005, this proposal was accepted.

A story about other architectural monuments of Russia included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Around the world

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