from incredible natural phenomena to mind-boggling manmade structures, the UNESCO world heritage list compiles the most culturally-significant and irreplaceable landmarks from across the globe. the list that we know today dates back to 1972, when UNESCO (the united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization) adopted an international treaty to ensure the safeguarding of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. as well as identifying these sites of interest, the convention serves to provide legal protection, conservation and emergency assistance, meaning future generations will be able to marvel at and learn from these remarkable places from the past.
to this day (november 6 2020) there are 1,121 sites inscribed on the list, which include 213 natural sites and 869 cultural landmarks. thanks to overview – who’s mission is to see the earth from above – we’re able to share a collection of the world heritage sites in these amazing aerial photographs. spanning the exquisite renaissance streets of florence to the vastness of the grand canyon national park, these images will no doubt offer some bucket-list inspiration.
stonehenge, the UK
UNESCO: stonehenge, avebury and associated sites
image by copter shot (all images courtesy of overview)
arles amphitheater, france
UNESCO: arles, roman and romanesque monuments
image by lucas miguel
douro valley, portugal
UNESCO: alto douro wine region
image by maxar technologies
grand prismatic spring, the US
UNESCO: yellowstone national park
image by chris leipelt
mount etna, italy
image by planetlabs
ayers rock, australia
UNESCO: uluru-kata tjuta national park
image by maxar technologies
venice, italy
image by maxar technologies
florence, italy
UNESCO: historic centre of florence
image by maxar technologies
marrakesh, morrocco
image by maxar technologies
great pyramids of giza, egypt
UNESCO: memphis and its necropolis – the pyramid fields from giza to dahshur
image by digital globe
sydney opera house, australia
image by nearmap
the sundarbans, bangaldesh
image by nasa
vatnajökull, iceland
UNESCO: vatnajökull national park – dynamic nature of fire and ice
image by maxar technologies
the grand canyon, the US
UNESCO: grand canyon national park
image by planetlabs
brasilia, brazil
image by digital globe
palmanova, italy
UNESCO: fortress town of palmanova
image by dailyoverview