from incredible natural phenomena to mind-boggling manmade structures, the UNESCO world heritage list compiles the most culturally-significant and irreplaceable landmarks from across the globe. the list that we know today dates back to 1972, when UNESCO (the united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization) adopted an international treaty to ensure the safeguarding of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. as well as identifying these sites of interest, the convention serves to provide legal protection, conservation and emergency assistance, meaning future generations will be able to marvel at and learn from these remarkable places from the past. 

 

 

to this day (november 6 2020) there are 1,121 sites inscribed on the list, which include 213 natural sites and 869 cultural landmarks. thanks to overviewwho’s mission is to see the earth from above – we’re able to share a collection of the world heritage sites in these amazing aerial photographs. spanning the exquisite renaissance streets of florence to the vastness of the grand canyon national park, these images will no doubt offer some bucket-list inspiration.

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

stonehenge, the UK

UNESCO: stonehenge, avebury and associated sites

image by copter shot (all images courtesy of overview)

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

arles amphitheater, france

UNESCO: arles, roman and romanesque monuments

image by lucas miguel

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

douro valley, portugal

UNESCO: alto douro wine region

image by maxar technologies

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

grand prismatic spring, the US

UNESCO: yellowstone national park

image by chris leipelt

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

mount etna, italy

UNESCO: mount etna

image by planetlabs

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

ayers rock, australia

UNESCO: uluru-kata tjuta national park

image by maxar technologies

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

venice, italy

UNESCO: venice and its lagoon

image by maxar technologies

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

florence, italy

UNESCO: historic centre of florence

image by maxar technologies

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

marrakesh, morrocco

UNESCO: medina of marrakesh

image by maxar technologies

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

great pyramids of giza, egypt

UNESCO: memphis and its necropolis – the pyramid fields from giza to dahshur

image by digital globe

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

sydney opera house, australia

UNESCO: sydney opera house

image by nearmap

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

the sundarbans, bangaldesh

UNESCO: the sundarbans

image by nasa

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

vatnajökull, iceland

UNESCO: vatnajökull national park – dynamic nature of fire and ice

image by maxar technologies

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

the grand canyon, the US

UNESCO: grand canyon national park

image by planetlabs

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

brasilia, brazil

UNESCO: brasilia

image by digital globe

see UNESCO world heritage sites from above with amazing aerial photos designboom

palmanova, italy

UNESCO: fortress town of palmanova

image by dailyoverview