Which country has the most Unesco world heritage sites?

Published in the Sunday Gujarat Samachar on 28 January, 2024

Hi everyone! How has the start to 2024 been for you? For us at Veena World, it sure has been an exciting one, because after all, the months of January and February are months where everyone starts planning their holidays for the entire year. Whether they want to travel between January to March, or during the summer holidays? or whether it’s during the rains? It all starts now. And we are definitely seeing that happen. So to assist with the planning, we have created a fun game on the Veena World website. It’s called How many Indian states have you been to? How many countries have you visited? What’s your travel score? All 700+ team members have already played this game. Thousands of Veena World guests have taken the game and found out there Incredible India state score and their countries travelled to score. So before we start today, I think you should play it too. Scan the QR code below and let’s get playing:

What was your score like? How many countries have you been to? How many states have you been to? When are you going to complete 25/50/75/100 countries? I would love to hear about your travel mission, so do write to me at neil@veenaworld.com And now, let’s being our quest to find out the country with the most Unesco World Heritage Sites?

But before we find the answer to that, it’s important to know what really are Unesco World Heritage sites.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are landmarks or areas recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance. The goal of this designation is to preserve and protect these sites for future generations.

If you look at India, there are 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. This puts India 6th on the list of countries with the most UNESCO certified sites. Out of these, 34 are cultural, seven are natural, and one, Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type. Other notable examples of UNESCO World Heritage sites in India include:

Taj Mahal: This requires do description at all because well all of us would have expected this to be on the list!

Kaziranga National Park: Located in the state of Assam, this park is famous for its population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses and is a major conservation success story.

Great Living Chola Temples: Located in Tamil Nadu, these temples are celebrated for their architectural grandeur, showcasing the Chola dynasty's achievements from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Jaipur City, Rajasthan: Known as the Pink City, Jaipur, yes Jaipur City was added to the UNESCO list for its iconic architectural legacy of forts, palaces, and structures that reflect its royal history.

And these are just a few. Let’s now look at some key points about UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Cultural, Natural, and Mixed Sites: These sites are categorized as either cultural, natural, or mixed. Cultural sites include monuments, cities, and buildings with historical, artistic, or archaeological significance. Natural sites encompass natural features, ecosystems, and habitats with outstanding universal value. Mixed sites possess both cultural and natural significance.

World Heritage Convention: The idea of protecting significant sites globally was established through the World Heritage Convention, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. Countries that sign the convention agree to protect the World Heritage Sites within their borders and to support the preservation of sites worldwide.

Selection Criteria: To be selected as a World Heritage Site, a location must meet at least one of ten criteria set by UNESCO, which include representing a masterpiece of human creative genius, exhibiting an important interchange of human values, containing superlative natural phenomena, and being an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement.

Global Representation: As of my last count, there are 1199 World Heritage Sites distributed across the globe. These sites are in both developed and developing countries, and efforts are made to ensure a balanced representation of cultural and natural heritage from all regions of the world. Of the 1199, there are 933 cultural sites, 227 natural and 39 mixed sites.

Conservation and Support: Being listed as a World Heritage Site brings international attention and support, often helping to preserve and protect these sites. This status can also boost tourism, which can provide additional funding for maintenance and conservation, although it can sometimes lead to challenges with over-tourism.

And along with India, if I were to mention some notable examples from around the world, they would be the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, and the historic centers of cities like Kyoto, Japan.

So with this complete background. Let’s come to the country with the most UNESCO sites then. We have established that India is 6th on this list. The fifth spot is Spain with 50 sites. Fourth Germany - 52 sites. Third France - 52 sites again. Second China - 57. And finally the top spot is occupied by a country that has a total of 59 sites.

And as always, I’m not going to give out the answer that easily. So let me give you a few clues. This country is home to the longest and deepest train tunnel in the world, stretching over 57 kilometers - The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Italy. It is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, a cultural movement that began in the 14th century, producing famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. It is a country that has within its borders, the smallest country in the world too. The piano was invented here in the early 18th century by Bartolomeo Cristofori. Besides the piano, it is also the birthplace of many other inventions, including eyeglasses and the battery. It is famous for its luxury car brands, which are renowned worldwide for their speed, design, and quality. One of its major cities is considered a global capital of fashion and design. With so many clues, if you haven’t already guessed, I’m talking about Italy! That’s right, Italy is the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites. These include iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, as well as lesser-known gems like the historic center of San Gimignano and the Trulli of Alberobello.

Italy's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes have earned it a well-deserved reputation as a top destination for travelers around the world. And with so many UNESCO world heritage sites to explore, it's easy to see why. Out of these 59 sites, if I were to list down my top 3, they would be:

Historic Centre of Rome: This site includes some of the most important monuments and archaeological areas in the world, like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican City, which houses St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

Venice and its Lagoon: Venice, known for its unique architecture and the network of canals that weave through the city, is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece.

The Amalfi Coast: Located in the Campania region, the Amalfi Coast is renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty and the picturesque towns perched along its cliffs.

So that’s it for today! I will see you the next time. But before I go, after all this, have I convinced you enough to book your holiday to Europe? So, Chalo Bag Bharo Nikal Pado!!!