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Natural and cultural sites added to the World Heritage List

A view from Puy de Dome onto the volcanic landscape of "Chaine des Puys," May 18, 2015, in Auvergne, France.
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July 02, 2018, 7:14 PM

UNESCO has added 20 new World Heritage Sites to its list of places as unique and diverse as the Galapagos Islands, the pyramids of Egypt, Venice and its lagoon, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Ho Citadel in Vietnam.

The prestigious World Heritage List by the United Nations' cultural agency includes landmarks of stunning natural beauty, or environmental, cultural or historic significance. Every year, a UNESCO committee meets to consider potential additions.

Below are images from some of the newest sites, which include Fanjingshan, China, Potbelly Hill in Turkey and Naumburg Cathedral in Germany.

PHOTO: An undated handout photo made available by UNESCO on June 30, 2018 shows Sarvestan in Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars region, Iran. — An undated handout photo made available by UNESCO on June 30, 2018 shows Sarvestan in Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars region, Iran. The archeological site has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, it was announced during the 42nd session of World Heritage Committee held in Manama, Bahrain June 30, 2018.
B. Sedighi/UNESCO/HANDOUT/EPA via Shutterstock

The Sikhote-Alin is a mountain range in Khabarovsk Territory, Russia, extending about 560 miles to the northeast of the Russian Pacific seaport of Vladivostok.
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Gobekli Tepe, The Potbelly Hill, which had been closed temporarily due to construction on its roof, is reopened for visiting. People can inspect the temple remains and obelisks with wild-animal figures belonging to the Neolithic period.

PHOTO: A general view of the Potbelly Hill (Gobekli Tepe), which is known as the oldest Temple Center in the UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List, in Turkey's southeastern province Sanliurfa, Feb. 28, 2018. — A general view of the Potbelly Hill (Gobekli Tepe), which is known as the oldest Temple Center in the UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List, in Turkey's southeastern province Sanliurfa, Feb. 28, 2018. The Potbelly Hill, which had been closed temporarily due to the construction works for its roof for a year, is reopened for visiting. People can inspect the temple remains and obelisks with wild animal figures belonging to Neolithic period, easily after the newly-built roof of Potbelly Hill.
Halil Fidan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

PHOTO: Located on the western outskirts of Cordoba, Spain, is Medina Azahara, represents the urban planning of the 10th century in the Islamic West, the first Umayyad Caliph of Cordoba, Andalusia. — Located on the western outskirts of Cordoba, Spain, is Medina Azahara, a fortified Arab Muslim medieval palace-city built by Abd-ar-Rahman III, represents the urban planning of the 10th century in the Islamic West, the first Umayyad Caliph of Cordoba, Andalusia.
De Agostini/Getty Images

The Makhonjwa Mountains, which are also known as the Barberton Greenstone Belt, have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list during the 42nd session of World Heritage Committee that took place in Manama, Bahrain.

PHOTO: The Sandspruit River, southern area in the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in South Africa, is seen in this handout photo made available by UNESCO, July 2, 2018. — The Sandspruit River, southern area in the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in South Africa, is seen in this handout photo made available by UNESCO, July 2, 2018. The Makhonjwa Mountains, which are also known as the Barberton Greenstone Belt, have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list during the 42nd session of World Heritage Committee that took place in Manama, Bahrain.
Dion Brandt/UNESCO/HANDOUT/EPA via Shutterstock

An elevated view of small houses and trees in an arid area of Qalhat, Oman.
Anthony Asael/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The Naumburg cathedral, originally built in the 13th century, is one of the region's most important examples of late Romantic architecture. The "Romantic Street" and its 88 medieval buildings attract around 1.6 million people every year.

PHOTO: The Naumburg cathedral rises from the centre of the old town, May 4, 2018, Naumburg/Saale, Germany. Originally built in the 13th century, it is one of the region's most important examples of late Romantic architecture. — The Naumburg cathedral rises from the centre of the old town, May 4, 2018, Naumburg/Saale, Germany. Originally built in the 13th century, it is one of the region's most important examples of late Romantic architecture. The "Romantic Street" and its 88 medieval buildings attract around 1.6 million people every year.
Jan Woitas/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

The Chiribiquete National Park, the largest of Colombia's protected natural parks, is included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The Serranias of Chiribiquete and La Lindosa are among the areas in Colombia that were closed to outsiders during armed conflict and are now opening up to scientific researchers.