New properties and landmarks have just been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Busan, South Korea. From Mount Olympus in Greece to France’s D-Day landing beaches, here are the new additions.
Mount Olympus Joins The UNESCO World Heritage List
The UNESCO committee meeting in South Korea reviewed dozens of nominations before deciding to add several new landmarks to the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to The Times of India, Mount Olympus in Greece was among the new sites. It is the highest mountain in Greece and is also featured in classic epics like Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. The mountain is home to over 1,700 plant species and rare animals like wild cats and wolves. In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus is also believed to be the home of the Olympian Gods.
Apart from that, the World War II D-Day landing beaches in northern France also made it to the list. The site covers the five Normandy landing beaches, including Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword, where more than 150,000 Allied troops came ashore on June 6, 1944, to help liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
Also Read: Sarnath Added To UNESCO World Heritage List; Becomes India’s 45th World Heritage Site
India’s Sarnath Also Makes It To The List
According to NDTV, India’s ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was also added to the list. It is the country’s 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to The Times of India, the UNESCO committee also inscribed the ancient Japanese capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara on the list. Located in the western prefecture of Nara, the site includes 19 archaeological sites from the 6th- to 8th-century capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara.
These sites preserve the largely buried remains of royal palaces, government offices, Buddhist temples, and tombs. South Sudan also secured its first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site with the inscription of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape. The region is home to elephants, lions, cheetahs, and many other wild animals.
Also Read: Gujarat Plans ₹359 Crore Upgrade For UNESCO Site Pavagadh With Pathways, Pilgrim Facilities & More
What do you think of these new additions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Cover Image Courtesy: Mount Olympus, Wikipedia/ Cristos Vlahos
FAQs
Which Indian site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List recently?
Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Where is Mount Olympus located?
Mount Olympus is located in Greece.
What are France’s D-Day beaches?
They are the Normandy beaches where Allied forces landed during World War II on June 6, 1944.
