New Natural Wonders

In July of 2008, eight new natural wonders were added to the World Heritage List of sites that are recognized as being worthy of protection and preservation. The World Heritage Sites are chosen by the United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Fast Facts

1. New sites are chosen by a UNESCO committee
2. Sites were recommended by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
3. New sites added to the list on July 8, 2008
4. Eight new natural wonders added to list
5. 19 additional cultural sites added
6. Total World Heritage sites: 878 in 145 countries¹
7. Total cultural sites: 679²
8. Total natural sites:174²
9. 25 additional sites are both natural and cultural

New Natural Wonders

1. Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Canada
2. Mount Sanqingshan National Park in China
3. Lagoons of New Caledonia in France
4. Surtsey, an island of Iceland
5. Saryarka in Kazakhstan
6. Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico
7. Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona in Switzerland
8. Socotra Archipelago in Yemen

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