The long list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites dates back to November 1972, when UNESCO signed a convention to protect the common cultural heritage of humanity. Since then, the program has become one of the most widely recognized international agreements in the world and has been ratified by 193 state parties. Of the 1,092 UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world, 845 are cultural, 209 natural and 38 mixed.
Of all the countries, Italy has the highest number of World Heritage sites with 54 in total. Most of them are cultural and among the best known are Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli (home to the famous Leaning Tower) and the archaeological remains of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata. China comes second with 53, while Spain comes third with 47.
The United States launched its own list in 1978, when Meda Verde National Park and Yellowstone National Park were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In October last year, the United States and Israel announced they would withdraw from UNESCO, citing “persistent anti-Israeli bias.” The withdrawal will take effect on December 31.
Greece has the following 18 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List:
Cultural (16)
- Acropolis, Athens (1987)
- Archaeological site of Aigai (modern name Vergina) (1996)
- Archaeological site of Delphi (1987)
- Archaeological site of Mystras (1989)
- Archaeological site of Olympia (1989)
- Archaeological site of Philippi (2016)
- Archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns (1999)
- Delos (1990)
- Medieval town of Rhodes (1988)
- Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios (1990)
- Corfu Old Town (2007)
- Early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki (1988)
- Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos (1992)
- Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus (1988)
- Temple of Apollo Epicurus at Bassae (1986)
- The historic center (Chorá) with the monastery of St. John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Patmos (1999)
Mixed (2)
- Meteors (1988)
- Mount Athos (1988)
Source: statista.com
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