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Travel – Nov 10, 2010

World's Newest Natural Wonders
By Sean O'Neill

Each year, the United Nations unveils a list of the world's most stunning natural attractions, called
World Heritage sites, and chances are, you've never heard of them—Papahanaumokuakea, anyone?
The designation shines the spotlight on a handful of hidden gems, while also protecting them from
man.

Over the past 28 years, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) has identified more than 180 of these natural wonders across 77 countries. These "World
Heritage Sites" are deemed "unique, irreplaceable, and authentic." The esteemed club includes the
Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and Victoria Falls among other iconic sites. (Manmade landmarks,
such as Rome's Colosseum, are counted separately.)

This summer, the UN agency added some particularly picturesque landscapes to its list.

China

China Danxia

The region known as China Danxia spans six subtropical

areas approximately 310 miles southwest of Xi'an, home of
the terra-cotta warriors. Red sandstone pillars, ravines, and
other fantastical shapes recall Mars more than they do
southwestern China.

Kiribati

Phoenix Islands Protected Area

Hundreds of species of fish, mammals, and birds have made

their home in and around the Phoenix Islands, about 6,000
miles northwest of Fiji in the South Pacific. The island region
is the world's largest marine protected area.

France

Réunion National Park, Réunion Island

Creole-flavored Réunion Island lies in the southwest Indian

Ocean approximately 400 miles off the eastern coast of
Madagascar and is towered over by two volcanic peaks.

Hawaii
Papahanaumokuakea

Preposterously clear lagoons and extensive coral reefs

protect rare marine life around this set of tiny islands and
atolls in northwestern Hawaii (reachable only by chartered
plane). Ghost alert! As native tradition has it, spirits return
to this area after death.

Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Zebras, wildebeests, and big cats wander the grass that

covers the enormous crater of the extinct Ngorongoro
volcano. The entire Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers
over 3,200 square miles and lies to the east of the decidedly
more famous Serengeti National Park. A World Heritage site
since 1979, Ngorongoro's received an extended designation
this year to also recognize its cultural significance: It's
where evidence of humanity's distant ancestors was
discovered.

Oaxaca province, Mexico

Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla

Archaeologists discovered the historic cave dwellings with

rock art in the central Mexican province of Oaxaca, about
340 miles south of Mexico City. In addition to rock art, the
caves are famous for the 10,000-year-old Cucurbubitaceae
seeds and corncob fragments found here—the earliest
evidence of domestic plants on the continent.

Russia

Putoransky State Nature Reserve

This nature reserve is situated more than 62 miles north of

the Arctic Circle in northern Central Siberia, and is a vital
migration route for reindeer crossing its tundra and rivers.
The Putoransky State Nature Reserve is technically a desert
because it rains and snows so little here, though snowfall
does tend to linger owing to the icy temperatures.

Sri Lanka
Central Highlands

The Sri Lankan leopard, slender loris, and other endangered

animals roam the Sri Lankan highlands. Their forest habitat
lies over 8,000 feet above sea level on this teardrop-shaped
island off the southern tip of India in the Indian Ocean.

Reading Comprehension / Discussion

1. What are World Heritage sites?

2. How many World Heritage sites exist? What organization has identified them?
3. What is meant by an “iconic” site?
4. Which of the New Natural Wonders is reminiscent of Mars?
5. Which place on the list is known for supernatural occurrences?
6. Which sites have volcanoes? Are they active or dormant?
7. What is the significance of the corn fragments found in the caves in Mexico?
8. How many of these New Natural Wonders are islands?
9. Which of these places would you most like to visit?
10. Why is it important to establish World Heritage sites?

Video: UNESCO World Heritage with Street View

1. Why has UNESCO partnered with Google?

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2. What are some of the different sites you can “visit” through Google Maps?

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3. According to the video, which site has “astronomical significance”?

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4. What does Mr. Hepburn (the narrator) say about the significance of World Heritage sites?

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5. What is UNESCO’s mission? How will Google Maps support this mission?

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