UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has designated a World Heritage List of 890 cultural and natural sites worldwide during the past 33 years, each selected for providing outstanding universal value. Throughout the United States, there are 20 designated sites including 12 natural World Heritage sites and 8 cultural World Heritage sites.
The Southeast U.S. is home to four designated World Heritage properties, located in five states and including one cultural site, which is actually two sites inscribed together as one, and three natural sites:
The Southeast U.S. is home to four designated World Heritage properties, located in five states and including one cultural site, which is actually two sites inscribed together as one, and three natural sites:
Everglades National Park - Florida
Everglades National Park - Photo Credit: The National Park Service
Natural World Heritage Site - Inscribed 1979
Located on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula along the Gulf of Mexico, Everglades National Park was the first of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be designated in the southeastern region of the United States. This fragile ecosystem supports an exceptional variety of habitats providing a sanctuary for a vast array of wildlife species.
Located on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula along the Gulf of Mexico, Everglades National Park was the first of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be designated in the southeastern region of the United States. This fragile ecosystem supports an exceptional variety of habitats providing a sanctuary for a vast array of wildlife species.
Mammoth Cave National Park World Heritage Site - Kentucky
Mammoth Cave - Photo Credit: The National Park Service
Natural World Heritage Site - Inscribed 1981
Mammoth Cave National Park has the longest known cave system of natural caves and underground passageways in the world with approximately 367 miles explored and surveyed to date. Subterranean geologic features include stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, travertine dams, and several types of gypsum formations. In addition, there are more than 130 documented species or flora and fauna in the cave, including eyeless and unpigmented cave dwellers such as fish, crayfish, beetles and others.
Mammoth Cave National Park has the longest known cave system of natural caves and underground passageways in the world with approximately 367 miles explored and surveyed to date. Subterranean geologic features include stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, travertine dams, and several types of gypsum formations. In addition, there are more than 130 documented species or flora and fauna in the cave, including eyeless and unpigmented cave dwellers such as fish, crayfish, beetles and others.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - North Carolina and Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Photo Credit: The National Park Service
Natural World Heritage Site - Inscribed 1983
Located along the North Carolina and Tennessee border, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited U.S. national park in the nation. One of the largest protected land areas in the eastern United States and world renowned for its biodiversity, Great Smoky Mountains National Park supports an estimated 100,000 forms of life, including an enormous variety of plants and animals.
Located along the North Carolina and Tennessee border, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited U.S. national park in the nation. One of the largest protected land areas in the eastern United States and world renowned for its biodiversity, Great Smoky Mountains National Park supports an estimated 100,000 forms of life, including an enormous variety of plants and animals.
Monticello World Heritage Site - Virginia
Monticello in Charlottesville VA - Photo Credit: www.Virginia.org, Virginia Tourism Corporation
Cultural World Heritage Site - Inscribed 1987 with the University of Virginia (see next entry)
Monticello, which is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a National Historic Landmark and, along with the University of Virginia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The only house in the United States to receive a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, Monticello serves as a cultural symbol of the creative genius and founding ideals of its esteemed architect and owner, Thomas Jefferson.
Monticello, which is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a National Historic Landmark and, along with the University of Virginia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The only house in the United States to receive a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, Monticello serves as a cultural symbol of the creative genius and founding ideals of its esteemed architect and owner, Thomas Jefferson.
The University of Virginia World Heritage Site - Virginia
The University of Virginia Rotunda - Photo Credit: www.Virginia.org, Virginia Tourism Corporation
Cultural World Heritage Site - Inscribed 1987 with Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (see previous entry)
The original Academical Village including the famous Rotunda of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville was envisioned, founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's design for his ideal Academical Village, as it is still called today, blends Roman and neoclassical inspired architectural styles and landscaping to create an atmosphere of daily intellectual interaction and the sharing of ideas and knowledge. It is the world's first collegiate campus to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The original Academical Village including the famous Rotunda of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville was envisioned, founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's design for his ideal Academical Village, as it is still called today, blends Roman and neoclassical inspired architectural styles and landscaping to create an atmosphere of daily intellectual interaction and the sharing of ideas and knowledge. It is the world's first collegiate campus to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Additional Information
For more information about UNESCO World Heritage sites, visit:UNESCO World Heritage Centre Website
U.S. World Heritage Sites - NPS
