UNESCO's World Heritage Committee recently met in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh for its 37th annual session. The result? Nineteen new sites have been added to the famous list that recognizes significant natural and cultural sites that have “outstanding universal value.”
One of the most noteworthy new additions is Mount Fuji in Japan, Gadling points out, “after previous nomination attempts were rejected due to garbage disposal problems on the summit as well as a perceived lack of uniqueness of the mountain.” Another highlight is the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in China's Yunnan Province, continually cultivated by the Hani people for 1,300 years. Also of note: Qatar and Fiji made the cut for the first time with new sites on the list.
Here's the full list of newly-recognized sites.
1. Xinjiang Tianshan (China)
2. Mount Etna (Italy)
3. El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve (Mexico)
4. Namib Sand Sea (Namibia)
5. Tajik National Park (Tajikistan)
6. Red Bay Basque Whaling Station (Canada)
7. Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (China)
8. Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong (North Korea)
9. Levuka Historical Port Town (Fiji)
10. Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe (Germany) 11. Hill Forts of Rajashtan (India)
12. Golestan Palace (Iran)
13. Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany (Italy)
14. Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration (Japan)
15. Historic Centre of Agadez (Niger)
16. Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine (Poland / Ukraine)
17. University of Coimbra -- Alta and Sofia (Portugal)
18. Al Zubarah Archaeological Site (Qatar)
19. Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora (Ukraine)
Image of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces via UNESCO