World Heritage Sites in South Africa
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'My heritage has been my grounding, and it has brought me peace.'
- Maureen O'Hara
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site of remarkable natural or cultural significance to humanity. The World Heritage Committee, UNESCO, administers the International World Heritage Programme which inscribes and catalogues these specific sites.
878 sites are listed, with Italy which boasts 43 World Heritage sites, unsurprisingly hosting the most. Preservation of Each World Heritage Site is important to international community, even though it is property of the state on whose territory it’s located. UNESCO World Heritage community has listed 30 sites ‘In Danger’. Though having survived hundreds,some thousands of years, sites are being destroyed due to a variety of external factors including tourism, weather, development.
Visitors to South Africa and other World Heritage host countries play an important role in supporting local communities. Foreign interest boosts local economies and brings in tourism dollars. Having said that, locals are often the greatest champions of World heritage sites, for they are a source of national pride. Buying locally made products instead of mass-produced goods helps in supporting local communities, and learning a bit of the local language always helps in opening channels and puts smiles on faces!
South Africa boasts eight World Heritage Sites which serve as a showcase for this country’s beautiful nature, and diverse culture:
1. Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
2. Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs
3. Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
4. Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
5. Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
6. Robben Island
7. UKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park
8. Vredefort Dome
If you want to take an even more active role, you can contact:
Friends Of World Heritage Fund - supports promotion of sustainable tourism of World Heritage Sites.
Expedia Employee Service program - helps World Heritage communities by sharing their expertise.
SA’s world heritage sites and for packages related to World Heritage Sites.
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