These are places of distinct natural beauty that are on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list, but not all visitors know about these places.

Discover 12 of the world’s most unique natural heritages

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in central Croatia. This is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe. In 1979, this place was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site and one of the first natural heritage sites in the world.

2. Ilulissat Ice Bay Icefjord

Ilulissat Ice Bay The Icefjord is located near the city of Ilulissat, Greenland, Denmark. This place has been included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list since 2004. Boating and enjoying the magical scenery here is an unforgettable experience for many visitors.

3. Shirakami Sanchi . Mountains

The Shirakami Sanchi mountain region is located on the island of Honshu, northern Japan. This area, also known as Kosai, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Shirakami Sanchi is the largest mountain region in East Asia, including a vast primeval ᵴtriƥ.

4. Ounianga . Lake System

The Ounianga lake system in Africa consists of 18 lakes connected to each other, forming a special natural lake landscape, with beautiful shapes and colors. The lake region is located in the middle of a very inhospitable part of the world. This place has saltwater lakes and freshwater lakes far apart. Ounianga has been a World Natural Heritage Site since 2012.

5. Glacier . Bay Reserve

Glacier Bay Conservation Area is located on the border between Alaska (USA) and Canada. This place became a World Natural Heritage site in 1979 with the name “Reserves and National Parks: Kluane, Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, Tatshenshini-Alsek”. In the Glacier area, there is also Logan – Canada’s highest mountain with an altitude of 5,959m.

6. Socotra . Islands

The Socotra Islands are located in the northwest Indian Ocean, 250 km long, including 4 main islands and 2 rocky islands. It has a rich and different flora and fauna, including species that only live in Socotra and do not appear anywhere else in the world. The islands were included in the World Natural Heritage list in 2008.

7. Reunion Island

Reunion Island is a small island located in the Indian Ocean. The highest peak of the Piton de la Neige, also known as the Snowy Peak with an altitude of 3,070m. Around the top of this mountain, there are beautiful ring towers that still retain the natural and wild features. The second highest peak is Piton de la Fournaise with an altitude of 2,632m, covered by the most active volcanic system in the world.

8. Jiuzhaigou Conservation Area

Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve is located in Northern Sichuan Province (China), also known as the “Valley of Nine Villages”. This place makes any visitor to be surprised by the magical beauty of nature. Jiuzhaigou is formed on a sedimentary limestone mountain range, famous for its multi-colored lake system, multi-tiered waterfalls and snow-covered peaks, recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site in 1992.

9. Te Wahipounamu . National Park

Te Wahipounamu National Park is located in New Zealand, is a system of 4 small national parks located close to each other: Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Fiordland and Westland. The summit of Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak at 3,755m. The natural topography and unique organisms, exhibiting evolutionary adaptations on a large scale, helped make Te Wahipounamu a World Natural Heritage Site in 1990.

10. Ningaloo Coast

Ningaloo Coast is one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Australia. In particular, Ningaloo has a 260 km long coral reef near the shore and is the longest coral reef in the world. In addition, this place is also famous for its underground water sources, cave systems and limestone mountains. In 2011, UNESCO included Ningaloo and its coral reefs on the list of World Natural Heritage.

11. Skocjan . Cave System

The Skocjan cave system in Slovenia is one of the largest underground wet cave systems in the world, formed by the Reka River. This is also a place that attracts scientists to study the phenomenon of limestone weathering. Since 1986, the Skocjan cave system has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage.

12. Aldabra Atoll Island System

Aldabra Atoll is located in the Seychelles in Africa, consisting of four large atolls. However, because this place is “isolated” because it is located around a large body of water, it is difficult for most tourists to access this land. But because of that, Aldabra is not subject to human influence. This area has become a paradise for many creatures, including the world’s largest turtle.

Source: lifeanimal.net