unesco heritage in usa. unesco world heritage sites in south america

At the end of 2002, 104 Latin American sites were listed by UNESCO, most of them in Brazil (16) and Peru (10).

From total number objects the vast majority (71) belongs to the category of objects cultural heritage. Chronologically, they cover the period of time from the second millennium BC to the present day. But for the most part, they represent the periods of the Middle Ages and modern times. Accordingly, they can be divided into pre-Columbian and post-Columbian objects.

Go to objects pre-Columbian era refers mainly to the heritage of ancient Latin American civilizations. In the Andean region, many objects in Peru belong to the pre-Columbian era (including the famous mysterious geoglyphs of the Nazca desert, fragments of the ancient Inca capital of Cusco), in Colombia (the archaeological parks of San Agustin and Tierradentro), in Bolivia (the archaeological area of ​​Tiwanaku near Lake. Titicaca). With a certain degree of conventionality, another world-famous heritage site can be attributed to the Andean region - stone statues of Fr. Easters in the Pacific described by Thor Heyerdahl and many other travelers and explorers.

The cultural heritage of Latin America is also widely reflected in post-Columbian era, associated mainly with the Spanish and Portuguese colonization of South America after the Great Geographical Discoveries. The objects of this era include mainly cities with a rectangular layout characteristic of Spanish architecture of that time, a central square (“plaza mayor”), numerous Catholic cathedrals and monasteries, and palaces of the nobility. Of the Spanish heritage of this era in South America, the most famous are the monuments of Cartagena in Venezuela, Quito in Ecuador, Cusco in Peru, the mining city of Potosí in Bolivia. The legacy of the colonial empire of Portugal is widely represented in Brazil (the cities of Salvador, Olinda, Ouro Preto, etc.).

Go to objects modern times the region includes the new capital of Brazil - the city of Brasilia, designed and built by Brazilian architects Luis Costa and Oscar Niemeyer and having the symbolic shape of an airplane with a "fuselage" and "wings". This is one of the most grandiose and organic in design and execution of urban planning projects of the 20th century.

There are 30 World Natural Heritage Sites in Latin America. These are mainly national parks and reserves. Among them there are such famous ones as Iguazu in Brazil and Argentina, Los Glaciares in Argentina, Manu in Peru. And the mountain fortresses of the Incas Machu Picchu and Rio Abysseo in Peru are classified as mixed cultural and natural objects.

Objects world heritage UNESCO in South America Total in the world - 962 (as of July 2012). In South America, only 67 (7%) Brazil 19 Peru 11 Argentina 8 Colombia 7 Bolivia 6 Chile 5 Ecuador 4 Venezuela 3 Suriname 2 Paraguay 1 Uruguay 1

Brazil: Ouro Preto Ouro Preto is a city and municipality in Brazil, part of the state of Minas Gerais. Former state capital. An integral part of the mesoregion Belo Horizonte agglomeration. The city was founded in 1711. It was the center of the "gold rush" of the XVII-XVIII centuries. in Brazil. After the depletion of gold reserves, it fell into disrepair. It is now a tourist center, best known for its baroque architecture. The population is about 64 thousand people. The first Brazilian city to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The central monument is the Catholic Church of St. Francis.

Brasilia On April 21, 1960, President Juscelino Kubicek de Oliveira moved the capital of Brazil to Brasilia, becoming the country's third capital after Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. The move of the federal administration to the new capital led to the fact that Brasilia became the center of executive, legislative and judicial power. The project for the construction of the new capital, called the "pilot plan" was developed by the architect Lucio Costa. Given the terrain and flood zone of the Parano reservoir, the "pilot plan" is actually an adaptation of a similar project proposed by Luis Kruls in 1893. Most of the administrative and public buildings in the city were designed by the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. In 1987 the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Iguazu Iguazu National Park is a national park of Brazil and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the state of Parana. It gained fame due to the waterfall (part of the province of Misiones) and the picturesque wildlife of which is located on the territory of Argentina in (especially the large variety of endangered species. This the most unique place in the world, since birds are concentrated on one piece of land), which includes rare and 5 forest species.

Iguazu Falls In 2011, according to the results of the world competition, Iguazu Falls were recognized as one of the seven natural wonders peace. The name Iguazu comes from the Guarani words y (water) and guasu (large). Various tribes of Indians lived in the vicinity. According to one of the legends, the waterfall was formed in the following way: The legend says that God wanted to marry a beautiful aboriginal woman named Naipu, but she escaped with her lover in a canoe. In anger, God cut the river, creating waterfalls, dooming the lovers to an eternal fall.

Pantanal Pantana l (from pântano - “marshy lowland, wet lowland”) is a vast swampy tectonic depression in Brazil, small parts of it are also located in Bolivia and Paraguay, in the Paraguay River basin. The total area is approximately between 150-195 thousand km², it is one of the largest wetlands on the planet. Animal world surprisingly diverse: about 3,500 plant species, 650 bird species, 230 fish species, 80 mammal species, 50 reptile species. There are about 20 million crocodiles. There are a number of specially protected natural areas within the Pantanal, including the Pantanal Nature Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Piazza San Francisco in the city of San Cristovan Piazza San Francisco in the city of San Cristovao is a quadrangular open space surrounded by the monumental buildings of the Church of St. Francis and the monastery, the church and Santa Casa da Misericordia, a provincial-style palace and other buildings dating from different historical periods . This monumental ensemble and the surrounding eighteenth-nineteenth-century houses create an urban landscape that reflects the history of the city since its inception. It is an example of a typical architecture of a religious nature that has developed in northeastern Brazil.

Jão Jão National Park is a national park in the state of Amazonas in Brazil and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located between 1º 00' - 3º 00' S. sh. and 61º 30’ - 64º 00’ W. e. It is the largest forest reserve in South America, covering an area of ​​over 5.6 million acres (23,778.9 km²). Entrance to the park is limited; it requires written permission from the Brazilian government to enter. Jau National Park is known as a good example of rainforest conservation in the Amazon. Jaguars, manatees, pink river dolphins and many other animals can be found in the park.

Diamantin Diamantina, a colonial settlement surrounded by rugged rocky mountains, recreates the life of the 18th century diamond miners. The city is a symbol of the triumph of cultural and artistic activity of a person who lived in adverse natural conditions.

Serra da National Park. Capivara The Serra da Capivara National Park is located in the state of Piauí in northeastern Brazil. The park contains many monuments of prehistoric rock art, which were discovered by the archaeologist Nyede Gidon. On her own initiative, a park was created to preserve the images. In 1991 it was listed as a World Heritage Site. The area of ​​the park is 1291.4 square meters. km. As archeological research shows, in ancient times Serra da. Capivara was very densely populated and had the largest concentration of prehistoric farms in ancient America.

Peru: Cusco Cusco (Spanish: Cuzco, Quechua Qusqu, Qosqo) is a city in the southwest of Peru, the administrative center of the Cusco region and the province of the same name. Population - 350 thousand people (2011). Cusco is a city of ancient history. Archaeological excavations have found that people have settled in these places for more than 3 thousand years. There is an Indian legend according to which the founder of the city is the first Inca - Manco Capac. The name of the city, translated from the Quechua language, the official language of the Inca Empire, means the Navel of the Earth, that is, in fact, the Center of the World, which fully corresponded to the role of the capital. On November 15, 1533, the expedition of Francisco Pizarro arrived here and, according to historical tradition, the Spaniards "re-founded" their city. In 1950 there was an earthquake that badly damaged the Dominican monastery and the church of St. Dominic, which was built on the basis of Coricancha (Temple of the Sun). Inca architecture, on the contrary, successfully survived the earthquake. At first it was believed that many of the old Inca walls were lost, but it turned out that the granite walls of Coricancha survived, as well as many walls throughout the city. Some wanted to restore the buildings of the colonial period, but some of the inhabitants of Cusco demanded that the walls that were in sight be left. Thus, tourists from all over the world had the opportunity to see the ancient buildings in the heart of the big city. The 1950 earthquake was the second to destroy a Dominican monastery, the first having occurred in 1650.

Machu Picchu Ma chu Pi kchu is a city of ancient America, located on the territory of modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea ​​level dominating the valley of the Urubamba River. In 2007 he was awarded the title of the New Wonder of the World. Also, Machu Picchu is often called "the city in the sky" or "the city among the clouds", sometimes called the "lost city of the Incas". Some archaeologists believe that this city was created as a sacred mountain haven by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec a century before the conquest of his empire, that is, approximately in 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spaniards invaded the territory of the Inca empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared. Similar to Machu Picchu, the high-mountain city of Choquequirao lasted much longer, until the 1570s. The Spanish conquistadors never made it to Machu Picchu. This city was not destroyed. We do not know the purpose of its construction, nor the number of inhabitants, nor even its real name.

Manu Park National Park was organized in 1977 on the territory of the Madre de regions. Dios and Cusco, and in 1987 was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Manu area is 19,098 km², of which the national park occupies 15,328 km², the rest is a reserve zone. The main part of the territory is the Amazonian forests, but some part is located in the Andes at an altitude of up to 4200 m. A large number of species of flora and fauna live in Manu. More than 15 thousand species of plants and about a thousand species of birds have been found on its territory (more than a tenth of all bird species and about 1.5 times more than in Russia). On the territory of the park, the population of the Inca toad, endemic to Peru, is protected.

Lima Lima is the capital and The largest city Republic of Peru, as well as the administrative center of the Department of Lima, is the economic, political and cultural center of the country. On January 18, 1535, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city of Ciudad de los Reyes, which means "city of kings" in Spanish. The culture of Lima was greatly influenced by the Indian heritage of Peru, as well as the ancient civilization of the Incas who lived on Peruvian soil before it was conquered by the Spaniards. Before the rise of the Inca Empire, in the 1st c. BC e. - 7th c. n. e. Lima culture existed in the territory of Lima. The legacy of the highly developed Inca civilization can be seen not only in the numerous archaeological sites and finds that are stored in the museums of Lima, but also in the modern folk art of the inhabitants of the capital of Peru.

Nazca Geoglyphs The Nazca Lines are a group of giant geometric and shaped geoglyphs on the Nazca Plateau in southern Peru. On the plateau, stretching for more than 50 kilometers from north to south and 5-7 kilometers from west to east, about 30 drawings are known today (a bird, a monkey, a spider, flowers, etc.); also about 13 thousand lines and stripes and about 700 geometric shapes(primarily triangles and trapezoids, as well as about a hundred spirals). Thanks to the semi-desert climate, they have been preserved since ancient times. Since the images reach several hundred meters in length and are difficult to recognize from the ground, they were officially discovered only in modern time, when flying over the plateau in the first half of the 20th century. In 1994 they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Nazca lines pose many questions to historians - who created them, when, why and how. Indeed, many geoglyphs cannot be seen from the ground, so it remains to be assumed that with the help of such patterns, the ancient inhabitants of the valley communicated with the deity. In addition to the ritual, the astronomical significance of these lines is not excluded. It seems likely that the Nazca could have been observing astronomers, at least according to Dr. Phyllis Pitluga (an astronomer at the Chicago Planetarium). After an intensive study of the relative positions of the stars in Nazca using computer methods, she came to the conclusion that the famous image of the spider was conceived as a diagram of a giant star cluster in the constellation of Orion, and the straight lines conjugated with this figure - like an arrow, the lines characterize the change in declination of three stars in Orion's Belt .

Argentina: Peninsula Valdez Valdez is a peninsula on the Atlantic coast of Argentina. Area - 3625 km². Most of The peninsula is an uninhabited area. There are several salt lakes, the largest of which lies 42 meters below sea level. This is the lowest point on land for South America. In 1999, the Valdes Peninsula was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - primarily for its unique and rich fauna. On the coast of the peninsula there are colonies of marine mammals such as the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) and eared seals. In the Gulf of Nuevo (Golfo Nuevo), separating the peninsula from the mainland Patagonia, southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) are found, other species of whales also swim for breeding, because the water in the bay is warmer and calmer than in the open ocean. There are killer whales off the coast. On land, ostriches are common nandu, guanaco, mara (known as the Patagonian hare or Patagonian guinea pig).

Los Glaciares Los Glaciares National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, glaciers) is a national park located in Patagonia (South America), in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The area of ​​the park is 4459 km². In 1981 it was included in the World Heritage List. Founded in 1937, Los Glaciares is the second largest national park in Argentina. The park owes its name to the huge ice cap in the Andes, which feeds 47 large glaciers, of which only 13 flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. This ice mass is the largest after the ice of Antarctica and Greenland. In other parts of the world, glaciation begins at least 2,500 m above sea level, but in Los Glaciares Park, due to the size of the ice cap, glaciers begin at 1,500 m and slide down to 200 m, eroding the slopes of the underlying mountains. Los Glaciares Park is a popular destination in international tourism. Tours start in the village of El. Calafate, located on Lake Argentino, and in the village of El Chalten, located in the northern part of the park at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy.

Humahuaca Gorge or Valley of La Quebrada de Humahuaca (Spanish: La Quebrada de Humahuaca) is a picturesque valley in northwestern Argentina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Humahuaca Valley stretches for 155 km from north to south and is located at an altitude of more than 2 kilometers above sea level, which increases towards the north. Located in the province of Jujuy, about 1649 km from Buenos Aires. It got its name from the small town of Humahuaca (Spanish: Humahuaca). The Rio Grande flows through the valley, which is much more full-flowing in summer than in winter, which is due to the peculiarities of the local climate. The valley is the crossroads of the economic and cultural ties of the region, it has been inhabited since ancient times - the settlements of the indigenous American peoples are more than 10,000 years old, in the Middle Ages the caravan route of the Inca Empire passed through the valley, later - to the Viceroyalty of Rio de La Plata. The most important battles of the Argentine War of Independence took place on the territory of the valley. Included in the list of cultural heritage sites on July 2, 2003.

Colombia: Cartagena Cartagena (Spanish: Cartagena de Indias) is the fifth largest city in Colombia, adm. center of the Bolivar department, a port on the Caribbean coast. The well-fortified citadel of the 17th century is located on the island of Getsemaní and the mainland cape, but other islands, as well as part of the mainland, are included in the modern city. Founded by the Spaniards in 1533, at the height of the treasure hunt, Cartagena served as the most important transit point for the export of treasures stolen in America to Europe. Almost all the famous pirates of the Caribbean have been here. Gold was brought here and loaded onto ships sailing to Spain. On the way, many of the treasures fell into the hands of pirates. The city itself was robbed five times. The most successful and shameless robber was the famous English pirate and traveler - Sir Francis Drake. He managed to get from Cartagena a ransom of ten million pesos, unheard of at that time, which greatly pleased Queen Elizabeth. In 1741, an English expedition was launched against the city, the largest in the 18th century, but the Spaniards managed to defend the city. In 1811, Cartagena, along with other Spanish provinces, broke away from the metropolis, but the local port remained in the hands of the Spaniards until 1821. After Colombian independence trade value Cartagena was undermined, and the city quickly fell into decay. An economic revival began in the 1920s with the discovery of South American oil fields and the construction of an oil pipeline to Cartagena. Since then, the city has become a major oil loading port. In 1980, the historical monuments of Cartagena (the fortress, the main square with the cathedral, the church of St. Peter, the palace of the Inquisition, the university building) were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tierradento Archaeological Park The park is famous for its several pre-Columbian underground crypts. The crypt usually has a west-facing entrance, a spiral staircase, and a main chamber, usually at a depth of 58 meters, surrounded by several smaller chambers, each chamber containing one body. The walls are painted with geometric, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic designs using red, white and black paints. Some statues and remains of ceramics and textiles barely survived due to the fact that the graves were repeatedly looted. The burial complex dates back to the 1st millennium AD. e. Burials included in the archaeological park date from the 6th to 9th centuries. The details of sculptures and drawings are reminiscent of similar details of cultural monuments of San Agustín (Colombia). The park brings significant profit to the local economy due to the large number of visitors, both from Colombia and abroad. It belongs to the UNESCO world heritage sites.

Los Katios The Los Katios National Park was created in the north of Colombia, in the border area with the state of Panama. On the other side of the border, another protected area has been created - the Darien National Park. On the territory of Colombia, Los Katios National Park appeared in 1976, today its area has grown to 72 thousand hectares. The nature of the park is represented by the following natural areas: tropical forests and floodplain swamps. The territory of Los Katios Park lies around the Atrato River. On its banks and among the nearby complexes of wet forests, a total of about 600 plant varieties were found. A rather remarkable local species is the cotton tree. This is a typical tropical species that belongs to the mallow family. The homeland of this species is Mexico, some countries of Central America, Caribbean, tropical region of West Africa.

Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape An outstanding example of a sustainable and productive cultural landscape. It is unique and represents an expressive symbol of the tradition characteristic of coffee-growing regions throughout the world. The territory includes six agricultural regions with 18 urban centers in the foothills of the western and central Andes ranges. It reflects the age-old tradition of growing coffee in small patches in tall forest and the way farmers adapt farming to the harsh mountain conditions. The architecture of urban areas, located mainly on the tops of relatively gentle hills above the coffee plantations running down the slopes, is distinguished by the Spanish influence of the period of colonization. The building materials of that time were, and in some places still are, clay and bent reeds for walls and clay tiles for roofs.

Bolivia: Potosi Potosí (Quechua P'utuqsi "roar", Spanish Potosí) is the capital of the Potosi department of the same name in Bolivia. Already in 1625 it was one of the largest cities in terms of population (160,000 inhabitants) in the Old and New Worlds (surpassing the then London and Paris in terms of population) and the largest world industrial center (during the development of silver mines in XVI-XVII centuries). The population of the city is about 160 thousand people. The city is located at an altitude of 4090 m above sea level and is one of the highest cities in the world. The city is located on the railway line Oruro - Sucre. The most important center of the country's mining industry. Tin, silver and copper are mined here. Potosi is also known as the capital of Bolivian Quechua folklore, and festivals of folk art are held here every year. In Potosi, which was the largest silver deposit in South America from 1556 to 1783, this metal was mined for 820513893 pesos. The mining town of San is named after Potosi. Luis Potosi in Mexico

Sucre Sucre (Sucre) - one of the capitals of Bolivia, the place of stay Supreme Court. Most government offices in Bolivia are located in the city of La Paz. The population of the city is 247,300 people. (2006). Sucre is located in south-central Bolivia. In 1839, the city was named after Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá (Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá; 1795-1830), the "Grand Marshal of Ayacucho" (Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho) - one of the leaders of the war for the independence of the Spanish colonies in Latin America and President of Bolivia in 1826 - 1828.

The ancient city of Tiwanaku Tiwanaku or Taipikala is an ancient settlement in Bolivia, 72 km from La Paz near the eastern shore of Lake Titicaca. According to the materials of excavations, this settlement dates back to 1500 BC. e. Already in the II-IX centuries. Tiwanaku is the region's largest city Central Andes- was the center of the Pukin state. In the Pukin language, it was called Taipikala, that is, "the center of the world." At that time, the city occupied about 6 km², and had 40 thousand inhabitants. Approximately in 1180, the city was abandoned by the inhabitants, after the defeat of Pukin by the Kolya (Aymara) tribes. Puma Punku stone structures are located 1 km from Tiwanaku. The language of the Tiwanaku and Mollo cultures was most likely the Pukin language, whose speakers in the 18th century switched to Quechua and Spanish. During the existence of the Inca Empire, its rulers did not use the Quechua language, which was spoken by the population of the empire, but the secret language "Capac Simi" (also most likely Puquina).

Noel Kempff Mercado (National Park) Noel Kempff National Park. Mercado is located in the province of José. Miguel de Velasco of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia on the border with Brazil. The territory of the park is 15,838 km 2, which makes it one of the largest parks in the entire Amazon basin. In 2000, the park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Chile: Easter Island About Easter Island - an island in the South Pacific Ocean, the territory of Chile. The local name of the island is Rapa Nui (rap. Rapa Nui). Area - 163.6 km². Along with the archipelago, Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The distance to the continental coast of Chile is 3703 km, to Pitcairn Island, the nearest inhabited place, is 1819 km. The island was discovered by the Dutch traveler Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday 1722. The capital of the island and its only city is Hanga Roa. In total, 5034 people live on the island (2011). Rapa Nui is largely known for moai, or stone statues made from compressed volcanic tuff, in which, according to legend, local residents, contains the supernatural power of the ancestors of the first king of Easter Island - Hotu-Matu'a. In 1888, annexed by Chile. In 1995, Rapa Nui National Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Easter Island Moai - stone statues on the coast of Easter Island in the form of a human head with a body truncated approximately to the level of the belt. Their height reaches up to 20 meters. Contrary to popular belief, they do not look towards the ocean, but inland. Some moai have red stone caps. Moai were made in quarries in the center of the island. How they were delivered to the coast is unknown. According to legend, they "walked" on their own. IN Lately volunteer enthusiasts have found several ways to transport stone blocks. The Norwegian traveler Thor Heyerdahl in his book "Aku-Aku" gives a description of one of these methods, which was tested in action by local residents. So, one of the Moai, overturned from the pedestal, was hoisted back by using logs slipped under the statue as levers, by swinging which it was possible to achieve small movements of the statue along the vertical axis. Movements were recorded by lining the upper part of the statue with stones of various sizes and alternating them. Actually, the transportation of the statues could be carried out by means of a wooden sledge. The local resident presents this method as the most probable, but he himself believes that the statues still reached their places on their own. Many unfinished idols are in the quarries. A detailed study of the island gives the impression of a sudden cessation of work on the statues.

Sewell Mining town Sewell is an uninhabited mining town in Chile, located in the Andes at an altitude of 2000-2250 m in the commune of Machali, Cachapoal province, O'Higgins region, 85 km south of the country's capital - Santiago. The only large mining settlement in the 20th century, which was built for year-round use. In 2006 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city was founded in 1904 by the Braden Copper Co. for copper mining in the world's largest underground copper mine, El Teniente. The city was built on steep mountain slopes that did not allow the use of wheeled vehicles, on the sides of a large central staircase that rose from the railway station. There were landings along the stairs. irregular shape with decorative plantings of trees and shrubs, which served as public and green spaces of the city. From the central staircase, horizontal passages diverged in both directions, which went to smaller squares and stairs that connected parts of the city lying on various levels. The buildings on the streets are made of wood, many of them painted in bright colors - green, yellow, red and blue. In 1998, the Chilean government declared Sewell a national monument, and in 2006, UNESCO included it in the World Heritage List as an outstanding example of cities that were created by industrial companies in remote parts of the world for the purpose of mining and processing natural resources using local labor.

Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works The Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpetre Works are now dormant saltpeter works located in northern Chile. In 2005 they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Humberstone and Santa Laura are located 48 km east of the city of Iquique in the Atacama Desert in the Tarapaca region of northern Chile. Among other saltpeter developments that are included in this World Heritage site are Chacabuco, Maria Elena, Pedro de Valdivia, Puelma and Aguas Santas and others (in total, among the Humberstone and Santa Laura enterprises there are more than 200 former saltpeter developments) .

Ecuador: Galapagos Islands Galapagos Islands - an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, 972 km west of Ecuador, consisting of 13 main volcanic islands, 6 small islands and 107 rocks and alluvial areas. It is believed that the first island was formed 5-10 million years ago as a result of tectonic activity. The youngest islands - Isabela and Fernandina - are still at the stage of formation, the last volcanic eruption was observed in 2005. The Galapagos Islands belong to the state of Ecuador and make up the province of Galapagos. The population of the archipelago is 25,124 (2010). Area - 8010 km². The islands are known primarily for the large number of local species of fauna and for the study of Charles Darwin, which served as the first impetus for Darwin to create an evolutionary theory of the origin of species. The islands got their name from the giant sea turtles that lived on them, called in Spanish during plural"galápagos" - "water turtles". In 1986, the surrounding water area with a total area of ​​70,000 km² was declared a "marine conservation area", the second largest after the Australian Great Barrier Reef. In 1990, the archipelago became a haven for whales. In 1978, UNESCO declared the islands a World Heritage Site, and in 1985 a Biosphere Reserve.

Quito Quito (Spanish: San Francisco de Quito) is the capital, as well as the political, economic and cultural center of Ecuador, named after the ancient Kitu Indian tribe. Quito is admittedly one of the most beautiful cities in South America. It combines a large number of traditions and cultures. The architecture of the city is characterized by a harmonious interweaving of Spanish, Dutch and partly Indian style buildings. The city itself is located on a hilly area and is divided into three parts by huge hills: in the central part there is a colonial old city with museums and architectural monuments; the southern part of the city mainly concentrates working-class dwellings and industrial enterprises; the northern part - Modern Quito - is replete with financial centers, department stores, bank buildings and expensive housing. Also in the northern part of the city is the Quito International Airport. In 1978, the historic center of Quito became one of the first sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. In the colonial part of the city, many cultural and historical monuments have been preserved, including the cathedral of the 17th century. , monasteries richly decorated with carvings and sculptures by ancient masters, as well as several notable secular buildings from the colonial period. In the churches of San Francisco, San. Agustín, La Campania and Santo Domingo have huge collections of ancient statues and paintings. The Church of San Francisco is the largest colonial building built by the Spaniards in South America.

Cuenca Cuenca (Spanish Cuenca) is the third largest city in Ecuador, the capital of the province of Azuay. The city is located in the Ecuadorian Andes (known as the "Sierra") at an altitude of about 2500 meters above sea level. The city was founded by Gil Ramirez Davalos in 1557 under the name of Santa Anda de los cuatro rios de Cuenca on the site of the ancient city of Tomebamba. The city center has many historical buildings from the colonial era, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Modern population The agglomeration of the city is about 400,000 inhabitants. Its economy is based on agriculture and industry. The city also has eight universities, the oldest of which is the University of Cuenca, which has about 12,000 students. The history of the city began long before the arrival of the Spaniards and even the Incas. The city was founded by the Cañari Indians under the name Guanpodeleg (meaning "earth as big as the sky") around 500. Approximately 50 years before the arrival of the Spaniards in America, the city was conquered by the Incas and was named Tumebamba. The Incas significantly rebuilt the city, replacing the architecture with their own, but not completely depriving the national consciousness of the Cañari people. The city became one of the political centers of the empire, but was destroyed during the struggle for power between Atahualpa and Huascar.

Venezuela: Canaima National Park Canaima National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Canaima) is a park in the southeast of Venezuela, on the border with Brazil and Guyana. The area of ​​the park is about 30,000 km². It is located in the state of Bolivar and occupies approximately the same territory as nature Park Gran Sabana. The park was opened on June 12, 1962 and is the second largest in the country, second only to Parima-Tapirapeco. In 1994, Canaima was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main attraction and value of the park are the tepui (flat-topped mountains) located there. The park's most famous tepui are Roraima (the highest and easiest to climb) and Auyantepui, home to the famous Angel Falls, the highest in the world. Tepuis are sandstones formed during an era when South America and Africa were part of the same supercontinent. The territory of the national park is the homeland of the Pemon Indian people, who revere tepui as the home of the mawari spirits. The park is located in a remote area; There are very few roads connecting settlements, so the main transport is small aircraft, as well as walking and canoeing along rivers. Most of the locals are pemons who are mainly employed in the tourism industry.

Santa Ana de Coro, the full name of Santa Ana de Coro (Spanish: Coro, Santa Ana de Coro) is a city in northwestern Venezuela, the administrative center and largest city of the state of Falcon. Population - 174 thousand inhabitants (2001). The city is located on a sandy plain at the base of the Paraguana Peninsula. The port of La Vela de Coro on the Caribbean coast is located 12 km northeast of the city center. In 1950, the historic center of the city was declared a national monument. In 1993, Koro was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Suriname: Paramaribo Paramaribo (Dutch. Paramaribo) is the administrative center, capital, largest city and main port of Suriname. The historic center of the city has been part of the World Heritage Site since 2002 (one of two World Heritage Sites in Suriname along with the Central Suriname Conservation Area). Paramaribo was founded by the French in 1640. The name of the city in translation from Tupi-Guarani means "inhabitants of the big water". Since 1667, the city, together with the entire territory of Suriname, under an agreement between the Netherlands and Great Britain, came under the rule of the Netherlands and received the status of an administrative Dutch possession of Suriname. The colony was ceded to the Dutch in exchange for territories in North America (the area of ​​modern New York). Since 1954 it has been the center of an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Officially, the city became the capital of the Republic of Suriname after the country achieved independence in 1975. The capital is home to the only university in the country, founded in 1968, the city has one museum where you can see archaeological exhibits, exhibitions on the history of Surinamese culture and the natural history of the region. The center of the city is Independence Square, located near the walls of the presidential palace. Immediately behind the palace is the city park, and to the east of the square is Fort Zeelandia, a coastal fortified fortress from the 17th century. In general, the architecture of the city is a combination of imposing brick colonial buildings with grassy squares of squares and wooden buildings, narrow streets lined with tall palm trees and mangroves fringing the city's waterfront.

Central Suriname Conservation Area The Central Suriname Conservation Area (Dutch. Natuurreservaat van Centraal-Suriname) is a conservation area in Suriname. The territory of the reserve occupies 16 thousand km², it consists mainly of tropical forests of the Guiana Highlands. The reserve is home to many species of animals, which are also under state protection. On the territory of the reserve there is a unique granite monolith - Voltzberg, whose age is 1.8 - 2 billion years. It has two peaks separated by a crack: one of them has a height of 245 meters above sea level, the other 209 meters. The monolith itself is located at an altitude of 150 meters above the surroundings. This monolith is 1.1 km long in the north-south direction and up to 700 meters wide in the east-west direction. Only at the top of the monolith there is sparse vegetation.

Uruguay: Colonia del. Sacramento Colonia del Sacramento (Spanish: Colonia del Sacramento, formerly port. Colônia do Sacramento) is a city and port in southwestern Uruguay, on the coast of La Plata Bay. Capital of the department of Colonia. Located about 177 km west of the country's capital, the city of Montevideo. The city is known for its historic district, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city's economy is based on textile production. Colonia del Sacramento is a free economic zone. The city was founded by the Portuguese in 1680.

SOUTH AMERICA. UNESCO World Heritage

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Natural heritage sites

Objects of natural and cultural heritage

Cultural heritage sites

ARGENTINA

1 The ancient path of Quebrada de Humahuaca.

"Road of the Inca".

2 Buildings and farms of the Jesuits in Cordoba and the surrounding area. Buildings typical of the Jesuits: university, church, residence of the "Society of Jesus", college.

3 Cueva de las Manos cave. Ancient rock paintings found over

10 thousand years.

4 Los Glaciares National Park. The largest glaciers in the Southern Hemisphere (except Antarctica) with many glacial lakes.

5 The spiritual and political center of Indian culture Tiwanaku is the capital of the ancient pre-Hispanic empire, which reached its peak in the period from 500 to 900.

6 Archaeological site of Fuerte de Samay Pata. Religious buildings of the Incas with rock carvings. A reminder of pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs unparalleled

in America.

7 The historic city of Sucre. The first capital of Bolivia with a characteristic mixture of local traditions and European styles in architecture.

8 The mining town of Potosi. The world's largest industrial complex of the XVI century.

BRAZIL

9 Fernando de Noronha Island and Rocas Atoll.

Habitat and breeding grounds for tuna, sharks, sea turtles and marine mammals. The largest concentration of seabirds in the Western Atlantic.

10 Historic center of Olinda. Urban development of the 18th century: buildings, gardens, 20 churches, monasteries, many chapels.

11 Historic center of Salvador. The ancient capital of Brazil with a mixture of European, African and American cultures. The first slave market in the New World.

12 Pantanal Protected Area. One of the largest wetlands in the world

with an abundance of plants and animals.

13 The historic center of Goiás. An example of the organic development of a mining settlement

using local materials and traditional building techniques.

14 Brasilia is designed like a bird in flight. During construction, every element of the city was in harmony with the overall design intent.

15 "Coast of discovery". Forest reserves of the eastern Atlantic coast, one of the richest areas on the planet in terms of biodiversity. It is the habitat of a number of endemic species.

16 Historic center of Diamantina. The capital of the "diamond rush" in South America (XVIII century). A symbol of the triumph of human cultural and artistic activity in adverse natural conditions.

17 The historic city of Ouro Preto. In the XVIII century. Brazil's gold mining center. Many churches, bridges and fountains are evidence of past prosperity.

18 Church complex of Bon Jesus do Congonhas.

18th century complex consists of a church and seven chapels.

19 Forest reserves of the southeast Atlantic coast. The 25 forest reserves illustrate the evolution of the surviving virgin forests.

VENEZUELA

20 The city of Coro and its port is one of the first colonial cities and the only surviving example of the fusion of local traditions with Spanish and Dutch architectural techniques.

21 Canaima National Park. 65% of the park's territory is occupied by table-shaped mountains, which are interesting both from a geological and biological point of view. Here is the highest waterfall in the world - Angel.

COLOMBIA

22 Port, fortifications and monuments of Cartagena, the ancient capital of the Spanish colonizers.

23 Los Katios National Park. Untouched wetlands equatorial forests- a habitat for many rare animals.

24 Tierradentro National Archaeological Park. Ancient burial structures (Vl-Xvv.).

PARAGUAY

25 Jesuit Missions of La Santisima.

26 Rio Abiseo National Park. Many endemic flora and fauna of tropical forests. 36 archaeological sites - evidence of pre-Inca civilization.

27 Chan Chan Archaeological Zone. The capital of the ancient state of Chimu is the largest city in pre-Columbian America.

28 Huascaran National Park. One of the highest peaks tropical zone. deep gorges with mountain rivers, glacial lakes and diverse vegetation.

29 Lima Historic Center (founded in 1535).

"City of Kings" until the middle of the XVIII century. was the capital and most important city of the Spanish possessions in South America.

30 Manu National Park. Altitudinal zonality of subequatorial forests with record-breaking species diversity of plants and animals.

31 Machu Picchu Historical Zone. Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2430m above sea level,

surrounded by tropical vegetation. Built during the heyday of the Inca state.

32 City of Cusco. The ancient capital of the Incas, plundered by the Spaniards.

33 Historic quarter of the city of Colonia del Sacramento. Mixing Portuguese, Spanish

and post-colonial styles.

34 City of Quito. Monasteries, church and Jesuit college, combining Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and local art.

35 Sangay National Park. Includes a whole range natural systems: from foothill rainforests to snow-capped peaks

and glaciers.

36 Historic center of Cuenca. The city of Cuenca was built in 1557. The architecture of the city is mainly from the 18th century, but was updated during the economic prosperity of the 19th century.

37 Galapagos Archipelago National Park. Living Museum of Evolution.

National parks of incredible beauty and rich in unique sights, world-famous historical monuments and mysterious ancient monasteries, Indian tribes with their separate culture and unique geological formations - where can you see all these wonders of the world? Of course, in North America. The Grand Canyon, the world-famous Niagara Falls, ancient Mayan cities and Indian reservations are the main attractions of the continent, which are known throughout the world. There are suitable attractions here for literally all travelers, both for those who most of all love walking through nature reserves, and for those who like to visit iconic historical places. This overview contains the most interesting and unique UNESCO sites that you can visit in North America.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the world's most famous attractions, it is the world's first national park, which was founded back in 1872. The area of ​​this unique biosphere reserve is about 900,000 hectares, every year it is visited by about 3 million people from all over the world. The main feature of the reserve is not only rich nature and picturesque landscapes, but also unique geothermal objects.

In fact, Yellowstone is a huge geyser field; there are about 3,000 geysers in the park. One of the main symbols of the park is the Grand Prismatic Spring - the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. His pictures taken from above are simply amazing, the beautiful lake shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. Such an unusual color of the water is due to colonies of pigmented bacteria living in the lake, the color of which changes depending on the season.

In addition to a huge number of geysers, guests of the park can see incredibly beautiful coniferous forests, look into hidden caves and admire waterfalls hidden from millions of eyes. Conventionally, the territory of the park is divided into five districts, each of which has its own unique features. For more than a hundred years, Yellowstone National Park has acquired a developed tourist infrastructure, several hotels operate on its territory, there are shops and gastronomic establishments. You can visit the park at any time of the year. Hundreds of interesting routes are laid along its territory, so many lovers of recreation in picturesque places prefer to stay here for a few days.

Mexico also has an amazing biosphere reserve that deserves the attention of travelers from all over the world - Sian Kaan. It is located in the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, the status national reserve Sian Kaan received in 1986. The park will be a real find for those who like to explore natural attractions. A significant part of its territory is occupied by tropical forests. It is also worth noting that the territory of the reserve includes the coastal waters of the Caribbean Sea, in which there is a section of the barrier reef, so diving fans also like to visit the reserve.

In Canada, one of the most famous national parks is Nahanni, which was founded in 1976 and covers an area of ​​4,776 square meters. km. Travelers who decide to visit this marvelous corner of the planet will also have the opportunity to see a lot of unique sights. One of the main symbols of the park is the South Nahanni River. It is known to many travelers thanks to the beautiful Virginia Falls. Its height is 90 meters - this waterfall is almost twice as high as the world-famous Niagara Falls.

For those who like to explore historical sights more than nature, it is best to go to Havana. An incredible number of historical and cultural attractions have been preserved in the historical center of the city. The very first settlements on the site of the Old City were founded by the Spaniards in the early 16th century. The center of the historic district of Havana is the Malecon. It was founded in 1902, the length of the embankment is about 5 km. It is here that the most prestigious hotels of the city, popular casinos and restaurants, as well as several interesting monuments and an 18th-century observation tower are located.

The Grand Canyon National Park, located in the state of Arizona, is also one of the world's outstanding attractions, because the Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world, is located on its territory. The area of ​​the national park is 4,927 sq. km, the most visited is its southern region. The national park was founded in 1919, in recent years the level of its attendance is about 5 million people a year.

The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, located in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, is also one of the most visited attractions in the world. Every year, tens of thousands of travelers come to the Mayan cultural center to stroll along its streets, admire the mysterious pyramids and unique places of worship. According to scientists, the city was founded in the 7th century AD.

The historic district of Quebec is also famous for its unique monuments, the likes of which cannot be seen in any other city in the world. The construction of this part of the city began in 1608, like many hundreds of years ago, today the territory of the historical district is divided into the Upper and Lower Towns. At the time of its founding, the Upper City was a political and religious center, while the Lower City housed the houses of artisans and merchants.

In Panama, the capital of the state of the same name, travelers will also have the opportunity to visit the colorful historical district. Panama Viejo is an incredibly interesting old city to visit, which was destroyed by pirates. The city was founded on the Pacific coast in 1517, at that time it was the most "European" city on the continent. Since its foundation, Panama Viejo had a single purpose - it was an important defensive point on the trade route from Peru to the Old World, along which precious metals and Inca treasures were transported.

One of the main attractions of Philadelphia is Independence Hall or Independence Hall - an outstanding architectural and historical monument. It was in this building that the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and later the US Constitution. The majestic building in the Georgian style began to be built in 1732, and construction was completed only in 1753.

The Popocatepetl Volcano is one of the most important natural attractions in Mexico. Height of this active volcano is 5,426 meters, but its main feature lies not only in its impressive scale. On the slopes of an active volcano, several ancient monasteries have been preserved, which are considered a historical heritage of world significance.

Among the important state attractions of Canada, a special place is occupied by the Rideau Canal, which connects Ottawa and Kingston. The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operating canal in North America, opening in 1832. The canal is 202 km long and can handle vessels over 27 meters long and 8 meters wide.

• Introduction
• 1. Criteria and conditions for the inclusion of natural objects in the World Heritage List
• 1.1 Terms
• 1.2 Natural criteria
• 2. South America. World natural heritage sites
• 2.1 Argentina
• 2.2 Los Glaciares National Park
• 2.3 Iguazu National Park
• 2.4 Valdes Peninsula
• 2.5 Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks
• 3. Bolivia
• 3.1 Noel-Kempff-Mercado National Park
• 4. Brazil
• 4.1 Iguazu National Park
• 4.2 Serra da Capivara National Park
• 4.3 East Atlantic Forest Reserves
• 4.4 Southeast Atlantic Forest Reserves
• 4.5 Central Amazonian Reserve Complex
• 4.6 Pantanal Protected Area
• 4.7 Brazilian Islands in the Atlantic: Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll
• 4.8 Campos Cerrado National Parks: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas
• 5. Venezuela
• 5.1 Canaima National Park
• 6. Colombia
• 6.1 Los Katios National Park
• 6.2 Malpelo Island
• 7. Peru
• 7.1 Machu Picchu Historical Reserve
• 7.2 Huascaran National Park
• 7.3 Manu National Park
• 7.4 Rio Abiseo National Park
• 8. Suriname
• 8.1 Central Suriname Conservation Area
• 9. Ecuador
• 9.1 Galapagos Islands
• 9.2 Sangai National Park
• Conclusion
• References and Internet resources
• Introduction
• UNESCO World Heritage - natural or man-made objects, the priority tasks in relation to which, according to UNESCO, are their preservation and promotion due to their special cultural, historical or environmental significance.
• In 1972, UNESCO adopted the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (entered into force in 1975). By September 2012, the convention had been ratified by 190 participating countries.
• Each year, the World Heritage Committee holds sessions at which "World Heritage site status" is awarded.
• The states on whose territory the World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations to preserve them.
• As of 2013, there are 981 properties on the World Heritage List, of which 759 are cultural, 193 are natural and 29 are mixed.
• There are 67 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South America.

1. Criteria and conditions for the inclusion of natural objects in the World Heritage List

1.1 Terms

As defined in Article 2 of the World Heritage Convention, natural heritage includes the following properties:

1) natural monuments created by physical and biological formations or groups of such formations of outstanding universal aesthetic or scientific value;

2) geological and physiographic formations and strictly limited areas representing the range of endangered animal and plant species of outstanding universal scientific or conservation value;

3) natural places of interest or strictly limited natural areas of outstanding universal value in terms of science, conservation or natural beauty.

Outstanding World Value means cultural and/or natural significance that is so exceptional as to be beyond national boundaries and is of universal value for present and future generations of all mankind. Therefore, the continued protection of this heritage is of paramount importance to the international community as a whole. A natural heritage property that meets one of the above definitions and is nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List is considered to be an Outstanding World Heritage Site for the purposes of the Convention if the Committee is able to verify that the property satisfies one or more of the criteria as well as integrity conditions.

1.2 Natural criteria

The main purpose of the World Heritage List is to make known and protect properties that are unique in their own way. For this, and because of the desire for objectivity, evaluation criteria were drawn up. Initially (since 1978) there were only criteria for cultural heritage objects - this list consisted of six items. Then, to restore some kind of balance between the various continents, natural objects appeared and for them a list of four points. And finally, in 2005, all these criteria were brought together, and now every World Heritage site has at least one of them in its description.

VII - include the greatest phenomena of nature or places of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic value;

VIII - to present an outstanding specimen reflecting the main stages of the history of the Earth, including traces of ancient life, continuing geological processes the development of forms of the earth's surface, which are of great importance, or significant geomorphological and physiographic phenomena;

IX - present an outstanding example of important and ongoing environmental and biological processes evolution and development of terrestrial, river and lake, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;

X - include natural areas that are most important and significant in terms of the conservation of biological diversity, including habitats of endangered species of outstanding world value in terms of science and nature conservation.

2. South America. World natural heritage sites

South America is the southern continent in America, located mainly in the Western and Southern hemispheres of planet Earth, however, part of the continent is also located in the Northern Hemisphere. It is washed in the west by the Pacific Ocean, in the east by the Atlantic, from the north it is limited by North America, the border between the Americas runs along the Isthmus of Panama and the Caribbean Sea.

2.1 Argentina

unesco monument landmark area

The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Argentina includes 8 items (for 2011), 4 sites are included according to natural criteria. Los Glaciares and Iguazu are recognized as natural phenomena or spaces of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. Among them:

Los Glaciares National Park (1981)

Iguazu National Park (1984)

Peninsula Valdes (1999)

Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks (2000)

In addition, as of 2010, 8 objects on the territory of the state are among the candidates for inclusion in the World Heritage List, including 5 - cultural, 1 - natural and 2 - mixed criteria.

Argentina ratified the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on August 23, 1978. The first site in Argentina was listed in 1981 at the 5th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

2.2 Los Glaciares National Park

Los Glaciares National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, glaciers) is a national park located in Patagonia (South America), in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The area of ​​the park is 4459 km². In 1981 it was included in the World Heritage List.

Founded in 1937, Los Glaciares is the second largest national park in Argentina. The park owes its name to the huge ice cap in the Andes, which feeds 47 large glaciers, of which only 13 flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. This ice mass is the largest after the ice of Antarctica and Greenland. In other parts of the world, glaciation begins at least 2,500 m above sea level, but in Los Glaciares Park, due to the size of the ice cap, glaciers begin at 1,500 m and slide down to 200 m, eroding the slopes of the underlying mountains.

The territory of Los Glaciares, which is 30% covered with ice, can be divided into two parts, each of which belongs to its own lake. The largest in Argentina, Lake Argentino (area 1466 km²) is located in the southern part of the park, and Lake Viedma (area 1100 km²) is located in the north. Both lakes feed the Santa Cruz River, which flows to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Between these two parts is the Central Zone (Zona Centro), closed to tourists, in which there are no lakes.

The northern half of the park includes part of Lake Viedma, the Viedma Glacier, small glaciers and several mountain peaks popular with climbers and mountain hikers such as Fitzroy and Cerro Torre.

The southern half of the park, along with small glaciers, includes the main glaciers flowing into Lake Argentino: Perito Moreno, Uppsala and Spegazzini. A typical boat trip includes a tour of the otherwise inaccessible Uppsala and Spegazzini glaciers. The Perito Moreno Glacier can be reached by land.

Los Glaciares Park is a popular international tourism destination. Tours start in the village of El Calafate, located on Lake Argentino, and in the village of El Chalten, located in the northern part of the park at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy.

Climate . The entire natural appearance of the park and its originality are associated primarily with the climatic features of the region. Nowhere on the globe are there such favorable conditions for the development of modern glaciation in such low sprats, "Roaring forties" winds of the western direction meet on their way over the oceanic expanses of the World Ocean of the Southern Hemisphere only the only obstacle in the form of the Patagonian Andes. On their western (Chilean) slopes, the winds fall with terrible force and give away almost all the moisture accumulated from the ocean.

Completely different climatic conditions are characteristic of the eastern (Argentinean) slopes and foothills of the Patagonian Andes, where the national park is located. Having lost strength and moisture on the western slopes, air masses"roaring forties" on the eastern slopes come "weakened" and almost withered. Being in the "rain shadow" of the Andes, the territory of the park receives much less precipitation - up to 900 mm on the slopes of the mountains and 500 mm in the east of the park. The average indicator of the amount of annual precipitation for the entire park is 809 mm, and the average annual temperatures are within +7.5 °С, minimum +3.3 °С, maximum + 12 °С. Here, unlike the eastern slopes of the Patagonian Andes, the sun shines most of the year. Only from April to May the sky is covered with clouds, it rains in the foothills, and snow falls in the mountains. In winter, and this is June-August in the Southern Hemisphere, snowfalls are common. In early spring and summer, strong hurricane-force winds sweep over the park from the west and south - from Antarctica.

Flora. In addition to snow-capped peaks (which are of undoubted interest to climbers), huge glacial fields and amazingly beautiful lake surfaces in the Los Glaciares National Park, you can also get acquainted with the peculiar flora of Patagonia.

Two types of plant communities are represented in the park - subantarctic Patagonian forests (in the west) and Patagonian steppes, characteristic of the flat-flat part (in the east).

Fauna. The vertebrate fauna of the national park, with the exception of the avifauna, has not yet been studied enough. About 100 species of birds have been recorded here, of which the Andean condor and the long-billed (Darwinian) rhea are the most notable.

Among the birds, the Andean spur (brook) duck, chaffinch are very numerous.

There is a small population of Andean deer. The Andean deer is listed in the International Red Book.

In the park, there are individual individuals of the mountain veskashi from the order of rodents. More often you can meet llamas, guanacos.

The ichthyofauna of glacial lakes and small streams is very rich. Many tourists come to Los Glaciares National Park specifically for sport fishing. In lakes Viedma and Lago Argentino, two species of salmon fish have been introduced specifically for sport fishing.

2.3 Iguazu National Park

Iguazu National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Iguazъ) is a national park in Argentina, located in the department of Iguazu, in the northern part of the province of Misiones, in the Argentine Mesopotamia.

The park was created in 1934 and partially contains one of the natural monuments of South America - Iguazu Falls, surrounded by subtropical jungle. On the other side of the Iguazu River lies the Brazilian park of the same name (Iguazu National Park). Both parks were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites (in 1984 and 1986, respectively).

Flora. The flora includes 2 thousand species of plants, in particular: one of the endangered species of aspidosperm trees - Aspidosperma polyneuron (Eng.), Rarely found outside the park due to cutting down for edible fruits, one of the cabbage palm species - Euterpe edulis (Eng. ), phebe, holly, foot-bearing plant, recently the less common zedrel, araucaria, palo-rose. There are trees of the burser family, a lot of vascular plants. Among the flowers there are bromeliads, various types of orchids.

Fauna. The fauna of the park includes 70 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 40 species of reptiles, several hundred species of butterflies, including endangered species. The most common representatives of the fauna are as follows: jaguar, jaguarundi, mazama deer, plains tapir, capybara, water opossum, ocelot, giant anteater, brazilian otter, bush dog, puma, monkeys (capuchins and howler monkeys), nosoha, Paraguayan caiman, broad-faced caiman, coral asp. Birds such as swifts and large toucans can also be found there. Common for these places, the vine-breasted Amazon, the American swift, the tirika, the Brazilian merganser, the bronze penelope (English) Russian, the South American harpy, the hummingbird. Among the known representatives of bats, the most common type of vampire is the common vampire.

Geography of waterfalls. The complex is 2.7 km wide and includes approximately 270 individual waterfalls. The height of the water fall reaches 82 meters, but on most waterfalls a little more than 60 meters. The largest waterfall is the "Devil's Throat" - a U-shaped cliff 150 meters wide and 700 meters long. This waterfall marks the border between Brazil and Argentina.

There are three cities in the vicinity of the falls.- Foz do Iguacu on the Brazilian side, Puerto Iguacu on the Argentine side and Ciudad del Este on the Paraguay side.

The most famous names of the waterfalls: "Adam and Eve", "Three Musketeers", "Two Sisters", "Salto Escondido" ("hidden jump"), "Salto Floriano" ("flower jump"), "San Martin" , "Ramirez" and a number of others.

Tourism. The Iguazu Falls are one of the most visited tourist destinations in South America. Every year there are 1.5-2 million visitors here. Viewing platforms are specially equipped for tourists. Hiking and car routes are laid in the vicinity of the waterfall. Also, tourists are offered waterproof clothing, as the routes go to the very foot of the waterfalls. In the vicinity of the Iguazu Falls, there is an international airport, dozens of hotels, campsites, access roads, and walking trails have been built. The local population is also employed in this industry, specially equipped areas for them, where they show local dances and songs, while dressing in local costumes.

2.4 Valdes Peninsula

Valdes is a peninsula on the Atlantic coast of Argentina. Area - 3625 km². It is connected to the mainland by the isthmus of Carlos Ameghino. The Bay of San José juts out from the north, and Golfo Nuevo juts out from the south. Most of the peninsula is uninhabited territory. There are several salt lakes, the largest of which lies 40 meters below sea level. This is the lowest point on land for South America.

In 1999, the Valdes Peninsula was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - primarily for its unique and rich fauna.

Physical and geographical features. The peninsula is located in the northeast of the province of Chubut, and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. From the north and south, its coasts are washed by the bays of San José and Nuevo.

The relief of the territory is a typical Patagonian plateau, which breaks off into the sea with sheer shores. The coast is composed of marine sediments, which are subject to constant erosion. Part of the coastline is represented by beaches, among which rocky beaches stand out - a favorite place for elephant seals.

The climate on the territory of the peninsula is transitional between the temperate climate of the central part of the country, with a maximum of precipitation in the hot months and a cold climate with winter rains, which is more characteristic of Patagonia. Summers on the peninsula are hot but short, and winters are cold.

Diversity of flora and fauna. The main vegetation of the seashores is algae. They cover the rocky shores with colorful blankets: blue-green, green, brown, red or yellow-green, depending on the pigment in the plant cells.

The Valdes Peninsula in Patagonia is of great importance for the conservation of marine mammals. A population of the endangered Australian right whale subspecies breeds here. The peninsula is known all over the world precisely because of the excellent opportunities for observing these giants. They come ashore in June and stay until December to breed. The southern whale reaches a length of about 14 meters and weighs up to 50 tons. Females bear cubs for a whole year, and at a time give birth to only one offspring.

Southern elephant seals and southern sea lions also breed here, and the killer whales living here use a unique hunting strategy adapted to the conditions of the local coastline.

The peninsula is also home to many species of birds and land animals such as guanaco, fox, American rhea, American (pampas) partridge, and Patagonian hare.

2.5 Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks

Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks - Two contiguous parks spread over 275,300 hectares in a desert region on the western border of the Sierra Pampeanas in Central Argentina. Here you can see the most complete paleontological record, starting from the Triassic period (245-208 million years ago). The six geological formations in the parks contain the fossilized remains of numerous mammalian, dinosaurian and plant precursors, showing the evolution of vertebrates and the nature of the paleographic setting in Triassic. Included in the UNESCO List in 2000

Flora and fauna of Ischigualasto. The flora and fauna of Ischigualasto is unique. All inhabitants demonstrate amazing fitness to an arid desert climate. Some of the most common types of animals that travelers can not only see but also feed are Argentine gray foxes, viscachas and rabbits. While traveling through the park, guests also come across peculiar animals - maras, which are also called Patagonian hares, although they have nothing to do with hares.

Of the predators that live in Ischigualasto, one of the most common are the "damage" skunks, since these animals, which defend themselves with the fetid secretions of the anal glands, have a particular preference for open areas.

From the canine family, the gray Argentine fox, or "sorro de la pampa", is widespread here.

In the protected area there are condors, two species of South American vultures - turkey and urubu, many songbirds. And even representatives of the parrot family, which, in our view, are characteristic only of tropical forests.

Surprisingly, even several species of frogs and toads live in these waterless lands.

Vegetation is represented mainly by cacti, rare thorny shrubs and trees, such as "retama", "chanyar", "algorobo" and others. Many of the plants found here are used in medicine.

Attractions of the Talampaya Park

· The dry bed of the Talampaya River, where dinosaurs lived several million years ago - as in Ischigualasto, fossils of that era can be found here.

Talampaya Canyon - the height of the walls reaches 143 m, the minimum width is 80 m.

· Remains of settlements of local peoples, such as petroglyphs in Puerta del Canyon.

· A botanical garden with local flora at the narrow point of the canyon.

· Fauna of the region: guanacos, hares, maras, foxes and condors.

3. Bolivia

Bolivia has only 1 natural world heritage site, the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. In addition, as of 2010, 7 objects on the territory of the state are among the candidates for inclusion in the World Heritage List, including 4 - cultural, 1 - natural and 2 - mixed criteria.

3.1 Noel-Kempff-Mercado National Park

The Noel Kempff Mercado National Park is located in the José Miguel de Velasco province of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia on the border with Brazil. The territory of the park is 15,838 km², which makes it one of the largest parks in the entire Amazon basin. In 2000, the park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Climate. The climate is distinctly seasonal with approximately 1400-1500mm of average annual precipitation. There is a dry season of about 4-6 months (May to September) when there is a decrease in rainfall. The average annual temperature is 25-26°C, but during the dry season the temperature can drop to 10 degrees for several days when the cold dry air masses of Patagonia (surazos) reach the park.

Flora and fauna. The inaccessibility of these places serves as a good natural protection of the virginity of the park, which includes five ecosystems located at altitudes from 200 to 1000m above sea level: mountain evergreen forests, deciduous forests, dry savannah, wet savannah and tropical rainforests. The diverse flora includes 4,000 plant species, of which 2,700 species have been identified. Among them are several types of palms, cedar, oak, creepers and bromeliads, many types of orchids. Breathtaking colors and scents, exotic passion fruit and mangaba fill these places.

More than 630 species of birds, 139 species of mammals live in the park- this is more than in all of North America, including: jaguar, puma, river dolphin, giant anteater, maned wolf, tapirs, capybaras, marsh deer. Many species of butterflies and other insects, 62 species of amphibians, including the South American side turtle and black caiman, 127 species of reptiles. Two types of anacondas are found here at the same time - green ordinary and yellow Paraguayan. About 254 species of fish are found in the rivers.

Some of these fauna are endangered elsewhere in Bolivia.

4. Brazil

There are 8 natural sites on the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites in Brazil. Among them, 4 objects are recognized as "natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance" (criterion vii).

Iguazu National Park (1986)

Serra da Capivara National Park (1991)

East Atlantic Forest Reserves (1999)

Forest reserves of the southeast Atlantic coast (1999)

Complex of reserves of the Central Amazon (2000)

Pantanal Protected Area (2000)

Brazilian Islands in the Atlantic: Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll (2001)

· Campos Cerrado National Parks: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas (2001)

4.1 Iguazu National Park

Iguazu is a national park of Brazil and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the state of Parana. It is famous for its waterfall (part of which is located in the Argentinean province of Misiones) and its scenic wildlife (especially a wide variety of birds) that includes rare and endangered species. This is the most unique place in the world, as 5 forest species are concentrated on one piece of land.

4.2 Serra da Capivara National Park

The Serra da Capivara National Park is a national park in the state of Piauí in northeastern Brazil. The park contains many monuments of prehistoric rock art, which were discovered by the archaeologist Nyede Gidon. On her own initiative, a park was created to preserve the images. In 1991 it was listed as a World Heritage Site. The area of ​​the park is 1291.4 km².

Archaeological studies show that in ancient times the Serra da Capivara was very densely populated, there was the largest concentration of prehistoric peasant farms in ancient America.

Climate, flora and fauna. The climate in these places is very hot and arid, and therefore the vegetation of the park is represented by thorny trees and shrubs, as well as cacti, of various bizarre forms, more reminiscent of a chandelier. Despite the dryness of the climate, which, I must say, is not at all typical for Brazil, in these places it is not difficult to meet anteaters, armadillos, snakes, jaguars, cougars, and various parrots. Also in these places lives an interesting animal - a false vampire. This is a bat with a meter wingspan.

Attractions of the park. In Brazil's Serra da Capivara National Park, there are caves where distant human ancestors lived 50,000 years ago. Most likely this is the oldest community of people in South America. The national park is located near the town of San Raimondo Nonato (central part of the state of Piauí).

Scientists have counted more than three hundred archaeological sites in this place. The main images are well preserved and have an age of 22-25 thousand years before the birth of Christ. Extinct animals are painted on the rocks, which will never be on planet Earth.

4.3 East Atlantic Forest Reserves

Eight protected natural areas (including three national parks) with a total area of ​​112 thousand hectares are located in the states of Bahia and Espirito Santo and include Atlantic moist forests and shrub thickets ("restinga"). In terms of biodiversity, this area is one of the richest on the planet. A number of endemic species live in the reserves, which makes it possible to trace the evolutionary path of living organisms, and this, in turn, is of great importance both from a scientific and environmental point of view.

biodiversity. Despite the fact that the ecoregion has suffered greatly from deforestation for agricultural purposes and urbanization (out of a million square kilometers of virgin forests, about 7% remain), the flora and fauna here are very rich, 450 species of trees can grow on one hectare. Many endemics, for example, 92% of local amphibians are found nowhere else. An example of primates is the genus lion marmosets (Leontopithecus). The collared sloth (Bradypus torquatus) is only found in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Birds include the blue-capped tanager (Tangara cyanocephala), the red-billed crax (Crax blumenbachii), the blue-bellied parrot (Triclaria malachitacea), the three-toed jacamar (Jacamaralcyon tridactyla) and others.

4.4 Southeast Atlantic Forest Reserves

The forest reserves of the southeast Atlantic coast contain the finest and most extensive examples of the Atlantic forests in Brazil. The 25 protected areas that make up this monument, with a total area of ​​about 470,000 hectares, demonstrate the biological richness and evolutionary history of the last remnants of the Atlantic forests. This area is distinguished by its diversity and beauty and is of great scientific importance.

biodiversity. Partially isolated since the Ice Age, the Atlantic forests have evolved into a complex ecosystem with exceptional high level endemism (70% of tree species, 85% of primates and 39% of mammals).

The designated World Heritage Site contains well-preserved sites of very diverse Atlantic rainforests. More than 450 species of trees per hectare can be found in some areas. The forest canopy along the river valleys is higher with isolated trees reaching up to 30 m in height.

There is a very diverse fauna. Mammals include 120 varieties, probably largest number in Brazil. Some notable species are the jaguar, ocelot, bush dog, La Plata otter, 20 species of bats and various endangered primate species, especially the muriqui and brown howler monkey. The avifauna is very diverse with 350 species recorded.

4.5 Central Amazonian Reserve Complex

A huge area (more than 6 million hectares) of the world's unique treasures of nature is a delightful complex of reserves of the Central Amazon. This region is distinguished by a great variety of biological objects. For example, the reserves include such valuable protected areas as Jau National Park, the Anavillanas Archipelago and the Amazon Forest Cover. Diverse ecological systems"Varzeya" and "Igapo" make the reserves an invaluable world landmark. The peculiar ecology of these places is an excellent habitat for the world's largest electric snakes, Amazonian manatees, black caiman, as well as giant fish - arapaima. In the rivers and lakes that form a bizarre aqua system, you can meet 2 species of dolphins here.

Flora. The flora of the igapo is comparatively poor, being most characteristic of the imbauba cecropia, which grows rapidly but not high (usually about 10 m), with broad palmate, almost white leaves and aerial roots supporting it underwater. At the surface of the water, in the pools covered with huge leaves of victoria reggae, bushes of nondescript Ivoreans stretch. During the retreat of the floods thickets of tall hard grasses develop. These gloomy forests are decorated with climbing vines and epiphytes, among which there are many orchids. The Amazon forests are the realm of vines. They spread like garlands along the ground, climbing out onto trunks, thrown from branch to branch, from one tree to another, hanging from the trees.

Fauna. Numerous lakes and streams form a mosaic aquatic system within the property, which is in a state of constant development and serves as a habitat for the world's largest population of electric eels.

Rare and endangered species include the Amazonian manatee, black caiman (the largest South American alligator, whose length is 5 m), two species of river dolphins, and also a fish - a giant arapaima.

There are many herbivores on the territory of the object, forest deer and antelope are especially common; there are anteaters, sloth, tapir, peccary, armadillo, many rodents. Monkeys can be seen everywhere, they are very numerous and diverse: capuchins, durukuly, uakari, howler monkeys. There are a lot of bats in the forests.

4.6 Pantanal Protected Area

Pantanal is a vast swampy tectonic basin in Brazil, small parts of it are also located in Bolivia and Paraguay, in the Paraguay River basin. It is located in the west of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and in the south of the state of Mato Grosso. The total area is approximately between 150-195 thousand km², it is one of the largest wetlands on the planet.

Geography and geology. The prevailing heights are 50–70 m above sea level. From the north, east and southeast, the territory is sharply limited by the cliffs of the Brazilian Plateau. natural conditions this region are very contrasting. Floods during the wet summer season turn the Pantanal into a huge swamp lake and alternate with winter droughts that form a patchy landscape of perennial semi-grown swamps, lakes, subtle meandering riverbeds, salt marshes, sandbanks and grassy areas.

biodiversity. There is a huge variety of flora and fauna. Over 3,500 plant species grow throughout the Pantanal. There are 650 species of birds, 230 species of fish and 50 species of reptiles, more than 80 species of mammals. There are about 20 million crocodiles alone. On the territory of the Pantanal there is a specially protected natural reserve - "Pantanal", which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reserve"Pantanal" is a unique and at the same time a wonderful attraction in Brazil. Its borders are in contact with Paraguay and Bolivia. The prevailing heights are within 50-70 meters. This amazing savannah is separated from the north by the Amazon jungle, and to the south by dense coastal Atlantic forests. The Paraguay River flows through the Pantanal, which creates numerous swamps, lakes and water meadows.

Among this richest fauna on the planet are such well-known species as the hyacinth macaw, toucans, capybara, guar wolf, many species of monkeys, deer, coatis, armadillos, anteater, sloth, more than 1000 species of butterflies, etc. Many of the animals that are threatened extinction in other parts of South America, they live in the Pantanal. Not far from the reserve is the small and wonderful town of Bonito, which is surrounded by greenery. The Brazilians dubbed it - the gate to the Pantanal. Thousands of tourists from all over the world visit this protected natural park of amazing beauty and diversity all year round.

4.7 Brazilian Islands in the Atlantic: Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll

The Fernando de Noronha archipelago and the Rocas Atoll, which are the peaks of the underwater South Atlantic Ridge that come to the surface of the ocean, lie off the eastern coast of Brazil. These islands are among the largest in this region of the Atlantic, and their coastal waters are highly bio-productive and play an exceptional role as habitats and breeding grounds for tuna, sharks, sea turtles and marine mammals. The largest concentrations of marine tropical birds in the Western Atlantic have been noted on the islands; there is also a large local population of dolphins. During low tides on Rocas Atoll, you can observe an impressive picture: shallow lagoons teeming with fish.

Flora and fauna of Fernando de Noronha. The island was covered with forest until the nineteenth century, after the prison was opened on the island, the forest began to be cut down from the construction of escape rafts. Currently, the islands are predominantly covered with shrubs, and in some areas new forest has recently been planted.

The islands are inhabited by 2 species of endemic birds - Noronha Elaenia (Elaenia ridleyana) and Noronha Vireo (Vireo gracilirostris). Both are on the main island; Noronha Vireo is also present on Ilha Rata. In addition, there are the Eared Dove Noronha auriculata Zinaida, the rodents, Noronhomys vespuccii, mentioned by Amerigo Vespucci, have now disappeared.

Geography of Rocas Atoll . It is of volcanic origin, formed by corals. The only atoll in the South Atlantic, one of the smallest atolls in the world.

The atoll has an oval shape, its length is approximately 3.7 km, width- 2.5 km. The depth of the lagoon is 6 m, the area is 7.1 km². The area of ​​the two islets of the atoll (Cemitério in the southwest, Farol Cay in the northwest) is 0.36 km², of which Farol Cay accounts for about two-thirds of the territory. The highest point is a sand dune in the south of Farol Cay, its height is 6 m. The atoll consists mainly of corals and red algae. The coral ring is practically closed, with the exception of a 200-meter wide channel on the north side and a much narrower channel on the western side.

Both islets are overgrown with grass, shrubs, and several palm trees also grow on them. The islets are inhabited by crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, and many bird species. Turtles, sharks, dolphins live near the atoll.

4.8 Campos Cerrado National Parks: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas

"Campos Serrado" is one of the ecoregions of the tropical Brazilian savannah, which occupies about 20% of the country's territory. In this zone there are two Brazilian national parks (Emas and Chapada dos Veadeiros), which are not just protected areas, but also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Their flora and fauna is distinguished by its biodiversity and at the same time is one of the oldest ecosystems in the tropical zone, which impresses with its amazing contrasts. These places have been pleasing to the eye for thousands of years, and also serve as a safe haven for a variety of animals and plants.

Emas. Emas National Park is located in the central part of the Brazilian Highland savannah. The authorities of the country, or rather President Juscelino, made this territory a reserve back in 1961, but Emas was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2001. The park is rich in forested savanna flora. It is here that you can find amazing palm trees typical of the wooded savannahs. In the park, tourists can see the round crowns of huge babasu palms, reaching 75 meters in height.

The Emasa savanna has helped to preserve many species of living organisms during climate change. Among the most interesting representatives of the fauna can be noted large anteater, armadillo and maned wolf. As for the climate, winters are cold here, and summers are hot. Inquisitive tourists are offered such types of entertainment as fishing, horseback riding or boat trips.

Chapada dos Veadeiros. An equally interesting object is the Chapada dos Veadeiros park. which also became protected area in 1961. The park is located in the state of Goiás on an ancient plateau. If Emas is very rich in fauna, then nature has endowed Chapada dos Veadeiros with a wide variety of flora. There are more than 25 species of trees on the territory of the reserve. The fauna of the region is also quite bright and colorful (marsh deer, armadillos, tapirs). On hot summer days, temperatures up to 40 degrees can be observed here, but in winter there is sometimes a slight frost.

5. Venezuela

The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Venezuela includes 3 items (for 2010), which is 0.3% of the total (981 for 2013). 2 objects are included in the list according to cultural criteria, 1 object - according to natural criteria (Canaima National Park).

In addition, as of 2010, 3 objects on the territory of the state are among the candidates for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The first site in Venezuela was listed in 1993 at the 17th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

5.1 Canaima National Park

Canaima National Park is a park in the southeast of Venezuela, on the border with Brazil and Guyana. The area of ​​the park is about 30,000 km². It is located in the state of Bolivar and occupies approximately the same territory as the Gran Sabana Natural Park.

The park was opened on June 12, 1962 and is the second largest in the country, second only to Parima-Tapirapeco. In 1994, Canaima was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main attraction and value of the park are the tepui (flat-topped mountains) located there.

Flora and fauna. On the territory of Canaima, such representatives of the animal world live as: tapir - a large herbivorous mammal (somewhat reminiscent of a pig in shape, but has a short trunk adapted for grasping), peccaries - a large artiodactyl, similar to a pig, agouti - rodents, relatives of guinea pigs, moving on long limbs, anteater, puma, jaguar, as well as broad-faced caiman, etc. In the village of the Pemon Indians, there are many rabbits that are chased by children. The local jungle is famous for the special abundance of various types of orchids, of which there are about 500 species.

Attractions. Like fragments of another world, the Table Mountains stand here - the unique plateau of the Gran Sabana, part of the Guiana Plateau, two-kilometer steep walls of which, absolutely flat at the top, rest against the clouds. These mountains, called tepui, are some of the oldest formations on Earth, dating back countless years when Africa and South America were one continent. Arthur Conan Doyle, inspired by the surreal landscape, settled tyrannosvars and pterodactyls on the tops of the plateau. Of course, there are no ancient lizards on Gran Saban, but the microcosm that lives at an altitude of two thousand meters above the rest of the surrounding world is truly unique.

Another attraction of Canaim is the waterfalls, the highest on the planet. Falling from the sheer ledges of the mesas, these waterfalls make for an impressive sight. The most famous of them - Angel Falls, overthrown from the top of one of the highest tepui - Auyantepui, which deservedly means "mountain of the devil".

6. Colombia

There are 2 sites on the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites in Colombia:

Los Katios National Park (1994)

Malpelo Island (2006)

6.1 Los Katios National Park

It was created in the north of Colombia, in the border zone with the state of Panama. On the other side of the border, another protected area has been created - the Darien National Park. On the territory of Colombia, Los Katios National Park appeared in 1976, today its area has grown to 72 thousand hectares. The nature of the park is represented by the following natural areas: tropical forests and floodplain swamps. The territory of Los Katios Park lies around the Atrato River. On its banks and among the nearby complexes of wet forests, a total of about 600 plant varieties were found. A rather remarkable local species is the cotton tree. This is a typical tropical species that belongs to the mallow family. The homeland of this species is considered to be Mexico, some countries of Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and the tropical region of West Africa.

6.2 Malpelo Island

Malpelo is an island in the eastern Pacific Ocean, 500 km off the coast of Buenaventura Bay in South America. Belongs to Colombia, is part of the department of Valle del Cauca. The area is 0.35 km².

On July 12, 2006, Malpelo, together with the adjacent water area of ​​​​857,150 hectares, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the largest no-fishing zone in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Geography. The island is a rock without abundant vegetation, the maximum height is 376 m (Mount Mona, Spanish Cerro de la Mona). The length is about 1850 m, the width is up to 600 m. It is surrounded by small rocks. The Malpelo Natural Protected Area occupies a circle with a radius of 9.656 km around the point with coordinates 3°58?30? from. sh. 81°34?48? h. d. (G) (O).

Malpelo is home to populations of silky sharks, frilled sharks, whale sharks and hammerhead sharks, as well as sand sharks, making the island a popular destination for divers.

The island is composed of effusive rocks, volcanogenic breccias, and Tertiary basalt dikes. Vegetation - algae, lichens, mosses, some types of shrubs, ferns.

biodiversity. Malpelo Island is home to a range of rare marine life. A lot of sharks, giant groupers, marlins gather here. This is one of the few places on Earth where reliable encounters with deep-sea sand sharks have been recorded. In these depths, stable populations of large marine predators and pelagic species are maintained, in particular, these are accumulations of more than 200 hammerheads, over 1,000 frilled sharks, as well as whale sharks and tuna. 17 species of marine mammals, including humpbacks and blue whales, 5 ground and 7 marine species reptiles, 61 bird species, 394 fish species and 340 shellfish species have been recorded on Malpelo .

7. Peru

For 2012, the list includes 11 objects, 2 of which are natural and 2 are mixed:

Machu Picchu (1983)

Huascaran National Park (1985)

Manu (1987)

Rio Abiseo National Park (1992)

7.1 Machu Picchu Historical Reserve

The city of ancient America, located on the territory of modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level, dominating the valley of the Urubamba River. In 2007 he was awarded the title of the New Wonder of the World.

In 2011, it was decided to limit the number of visitors. According to the new rules, only 2,500 tourists per day can visit Machu Picchu, of which no more than 400 people can climb Mount Wayna Picchu, which is part of the archaeological complex. In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800.

Flora and fauna. On the territory of Machu Picchu you are constantly surrounded by landscapes of dazzling beauty. The splendor of the archaeological ruins is harmoniously combined with a huge variety of flora and fauna. On the entire area of ​​the lost city, which is approximately 32,520 hectares, you will see exotic pisonai and kunyual trees, shield palms, alders - they amaze with their grandeur. About 400 species of begonias and orchids grow here, of which only 260 species are classified.

Animals living in Machu Picchu are also striking in their diversity. Approximately 375 species of birds live in the city, of which 200 species can always be seen during the tour. To one of prominent representatives feathered is the Rock Cockerel, it is he who is the symbol of Peru. The bird is easily recognizable by its colorful plumage, it is easy to meet on the banks of rivers.

In terms of animals, the endangered Andean bear is of particular interest. In these parts, he is known as "Spectacled Bear". The animal is absolutely safe, eats only plant foods. Due to his shy disposition, he is rarely photographed. In Machu Picchu you can also see vicuñas, white-tailed deer, wild llamas and other representatives of exotic fauna.

Current state. Machu Picchu, especially after receiving the UNESCO World Heritage status, has become a center of mass tourism. In 2011, it was decided to limit the number of visitors. According to the new rules, only 2,500 tourists per day can visit Machu Picchu, of which no more than 400 people can climb Mount Wayna Picchu, which is part of the archaeological complex. In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800. Machu Picchu is located in a remote region. To support tourism, a railway was built to the neighboring city of Aguas Calientes from Cusco via Ollantaytambo, more than ten trains a day run from Ollantaytambo. From the Aguas Calientes railway station to Machu Picchu, there is a bus that overcomes eight kilometers of a steep serpentine climb. UNESCO opposed the construction of the cable car to limit the flow of tourists. As a result of the 2004 earthquake, the site railway badly damaged, but was restored.

At the 35th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, it was decided that the ancient city from February 1, 2012 will be excluded from the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger.

7.2 Huascaran National Park

A national park located in the Ancash region of Peru, on the territory of the Cordillera Blanca.

The area of ​​the park is 3400 km². Declared a nature reserve on July 1, 1975. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The name of the park comes from the name of the high peak Peru - Huascaran, 6768 m high. Many rare and endemic plants and animals live in the park. For example, Puya raimondi is a plant of the bromeliad family up to 10 meters high, whose age can reach up to 100 years.

Climate. The climate in the national park, in addition to being characterized by altitudinal zonation typical of mountains, is divided into two seasons a year. One of them is humid, caused by strong warm winds blowing from the Amazonian jungle, and lasts from December to March. The other, which lasts from May to October, is dry, characterized by a large number of sunny days. The temperature at this time can rise to 25 degrees Celsius, but the nights are very cold, and often the thermometer drops below 0 degrees.

Flora and fauna. The fauna of the White and Black Cordillera is represented mainly by birds and mammals. Some species have not yet been described or our knowledge of them is extremely scarce. According to scientists, there are 112 species of birds in the Huascaran National Park, representing 33 different families. Among them are the Andean Condor, the Andean Spur Duck and the Andean Tinamou. Mammals are represented in the park by only ten species. However, among them are such amazing, rare and beautiful animals as the pampas cat, Andean cat, spectacled bear, vicuña and Peruvian deer.

The flora of the Huascaran National Park is more diverse in terms of species growing here. The park has seven climatic zones and a huge number of microclimates. All this contributes to the development of unique plants, capturing literally every part of the mountain surface suitable for life and growth. In total, scientists have described 779 plant species in Huascaran, belonging to 340 genera and 104 families.

7.3 Manu National Park

The park was organized in 1977 in the regions of Madre de Dios and Cusco, and in 1987 was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Manu area is 19,098 km², of which the national park occupies 15,328 km², the rest is a reserve zone. The main part of the territory is the Amazonian forests, but some part is located in the Andes at an altitude of up to 4200 m. A large number of species of flora and fauna live in Manu. More than 15 thousand species of plants and about a thousand species of birds have been found on its territory (more than a tenth of all bird species and about 1.5 times more than in Russia). On the territory of the park, the population of the Inca toad, endemic to Peru, is protected.

7.4 Rio Abiseo National Park

Rio Abiseo National Park is a national park located in the San Martin region of Peru. Since 1990 it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park is home to many species of flora and fauna, and there are more than 30 archaeological sites from the pre-Columbian period. Since 1986, certain parts of the park have been closed to tourists due to the fragility of both the natural and archaeological environments. The largest and most famous archaeological site in the park is the Gran Pajaten, located on a hilltop near the border of the region. Nearby are the ruins of Los Pinchudos (discovered in 1965), which are a series of stone graves. Most archeology research in the park is conducted by staff at the University of Colorado.

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