Тысяча чудес света

The book tells about the outstanding cultural and natural sites that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - the United Nations organization dealing with education, science and culture. This list includes the historical centers of the most significant cities, temples, palaces, mosques and entire architectural complexes, as well as nature reserves and national parks. In fact, this is a listing of all the "wonders of the world" that exist on Earth. The list began to be drawn up by UNESCO in 1972, when the Convention for the Protection of Outstanding Cultural and Natural Sites, which are the heritage of all mankind, was adopted. There are more than 140 countries in the world where such facilities are located. All these countries are listed in alphabetical order in the book. In 2007, there were 853 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In fact, there are more of them, since some include entire complexes and architectural ensembles like the castles of the Loire Valley in France or palaces and temples in the historical center of St. Petersburg. In total, the book describes more than a thousand amazing places on our planet and objects created by human hands. Within each country, the sites are arranged in the order in which they are included in the World Heritage List. The criteria according to which the object was included in the list, its coordinates, a colorful photograph and a detailed description are given. As a result, the book is a kind of guide to all the amazing places on Earth.