Tom Levitt, MSN Environment

New World Heritage Sites

Twenty-seven new sites, including the biodiversity-rich group of islands, Socotra Archipelago (pictured above) have been added to the World Heritage list.

Once added to the list, the sites will be safeguarded along with the more than 800 other sites which currently make up the full list of protected sites.

Existing sites include Stonehenge, the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Wall of China. The list is compiled by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and new additions are chosen for their historical, cultural and natural significance.

You can find out more about 12 of the new sites added to the list by clicking on the images below

Al_Hijr Archaeological Site, Saudi Arabia

Poor

Excellent

Your rating helps other users gauge the value of an article

Share It

... opens a new window

MORE ON MSN ENVIRONMENT

Chief welcomes Obama's presence

The UN's chief climate official has said that Barack Obama's presence at the forthcoming international talks on global warming would be "critical" after officials announced the US president would be attending the conference.

More rain threatens further damage
All eyes are on river levels in flood-hit Cumbria as more heavy rain threatens a vital bridge and further damage to homes.
Warming impact on Himalayas warning
The world must take note of the serious impacts of climate change on the Himalayas which provide water for millions of people in Asia - including three nuclear powers, a sherpa and leading environmentalist from Nepal have warned.
Warming health threat 'very real'
The impacts of climate change on health are a "very real and present danger", Health Secretary Andy Burnham has warned at the launch of a new report on how rising temperatures will affect the public.