July 2, 2018
These are 2018’s nominees for the UNESCO World Heritage List
Ancient City of Qalhat (Oman): The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is currently debating which incredible sights across the world should be given the coveted UNESCO World Heritage status. The options include the Ancient City of Qalhat, home to the Bibi Maryam Mausoleum, pictured here.
The Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene (Italy): The UNESCO Committee is meeting in Manama, Bahrain. One of the nominees it’ll debate is these beautiful Italian hills, the home of famous fizzy wine vineyards.
Funeral and memorial sites of the First World War Western Front (Belgium and France): Another nominee is the funeral and memorial sites of the First World War’s Western Front in Belgium and France. These vast graveyards, including the Commonwealth Military Cemetery “Prowse Point Military Cemetery,” pictured here, commemorate the extensive loss of life during this conflict.
Caliphate City of Medina Azahara (Spain): This ruined medieval 10th century palace city is another potential UNESCO site. Representatives from 21 countries assess the options — additions need to be of “outstanding universal value.”
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa): Also on the agenda are these South African mountains, known for their green-hued rocks that date back an incredible 3.5 billion years.
Fanjingshan mountain (China): Another incredible mountain on the agenda is this awe-inspiring peak in the Wuling Mountain range, known for its mid-subtropical atmosphere.
Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries (South Korea): Sansa consists of seven mountain temples that provide a living history of Buddhism. It’s another UNESCO applicant to be debated in the 2018 session.
Chiribiquete National Park — “The Maloca of the Jaguar,” (Colombia): Another nominee is Colombia’s largest national park, home to ancient rock art, tropical forest and mountains.
The Historic Urban Ensemble of Nîmes (France): This impressive Roman amphitheater, situated in this Southern French city, was built in roughly 70 AD and remains standing in 2018, playing host to concerts. Will it be granted UNESCO status?
Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region (Iran): Also up for consideration are these relics of the Sassanian period (224 to 651 AD), which provide an insight into a bygone world.
Roșia Montană Mining Landscape, Romania: This nominee from Romania is an area rich with metals. It’s been a mining hotspot for centuries and is home to prehistoric and Roman mining settlements.
Aasivissuit — Nipisat. Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea (Denmark): This area has been used by hunters since the 3rd century and is now campaigning for World Heritage Status.
