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A general view taken on July 25, 2023 shows St. Mark's Square in Venice after a high tide event of 0.85 meters
Image: Marco Sabadin/AFP/Getty ImagesImage: Marco Sabadin/AFP/Getty Images

UNESCO World Heritage

More than 1,000 sites around the world have been identified by UNESCO as being of special value to humanity. These locations, of both natural and cultural significance, are given special protection and attention.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Magazin Global Us am 21.10.2024 - Mauretanien Wüste

Mauritania: The desert is swallowing its heritage

Mauritania: The desert is swallowing its heritage

Chinguetti in Mauritania is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But now the desert is encroaching.
ClimateOctober 21, 202406:37 min
A man washes his hands under a self-made water pump in the forest of the Gedeo zone in Ethiopia.

How Ethiopia's Gedeo people protect local forests

How Ethiopia's Gedeo people protect local forests

The Gedeo people of Ethiopia have an ancient forest management system where cutting down trees risks social exclusion.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 14, 202403:58 min
people gather on a terrace outside a nightclub

Is Berlin in a 'club death' spiral?

Is Berlin in a 'club death' spiral?

With two iconic Berlin techno clubs set to close, rising rents and inflation are being blamed. But is the party over?
MusicSeptember 27, 2024
A man holding a gun makes a peace sign, ruins behind

Sudan crisis: Threat to culture 'unprecedented,' UNESCO says

Sudan crisis: Threat to culture 'unprecedented,' UNESCO says

Sudan's cultural and world heritage sites have been bombed or looted as millions of people are displaced.
CultureSeptember 23, 2024
Tourists in boats paddling on the Vltava.

Rowdy tourists threaten Czech World Heritage town

Rowdy tourists threaten Czech World Heritage town

Overtourism, in the form of river cruises, is overwhelming the historic town of Cesky Krumlov.
SocietySeptember 12, 202403:42 min
A water tap.

Half the world lacks access to safe drinking water

Half the world lacks access to safe drinking water

Less than half of people around the world have access to safe drinking water.
HealthAugust 30, 2024
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Sandbags around a monument

The network protecting Ukraine's cultural heritage

As Ukraine's cities reel under Russian attacks, German experts are dedicated to saving its cultural heritage.
CultureApril 10, 2022
Young men dressed as the devil dance during Corpus Christi festival

UNESCO adds to Intangible Cultural Heritage List

UNESCO has added different customs to its list of global cultural treasures to be protected. A selection in pictures.
CultureDecember 16, 2021
Ivory Coast | Sudanese style mosque

Why are there so few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa?

Barely 9% of UNESCO World Heritage sites are in Africa. Experts say that this is due to structural factors.
CultureAugust 3, 2021
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