Impressive sites in Africa

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural heritage and our natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declare certain sites as World Heritage Sites. These sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

The declaration of a place as a World Heritage Site is keeping with UNESCO’s policy of encouraging the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

Up to now 962 sites are listed on the World Heritage Site list. These comprise 745 cultural, 188 natural, and 29 mixed properties in 157 states. Sites range from forests, mountains, lakes, deserts, monuments, buildings and complexes to cities. Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites with 47 sites.

While each World Heritage Site remains part of the legal territory of the state wherein the site is located, UNESCO considers it in the interest of the international community to preserve each site. From time to time, UN Postal Administration issues stamps depicting World Heritage Sites. For this year’s stamp series, six sites in Africa have been chosen. These represent six African states.

The Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania is one site. The park covering an area of 75,575 hectares is the highest point in Africa (5,895 metres). It is also one of the largest volcanoes in the world and its massif stands in splendid isolation above the surrounding plains, with its snowy peak looming over the savannah. Numerous mammals, many of them endangered species, live in the park. The park, established in 1973, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Djenne is one of the oldest towns of sub-Saharan Africa which had been inhabited since 250 B.C. It became a market centre and an important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. Its traditional houses have been built on hillocks as protection from the seasonal floods.

About 2,000 houses have survived. There are four archaeological sites in the ‘Old Towns of Djenne’ covering an area of 48.5 hectares divided into ten districts. The property is characterised by the intensive and remarkable use of earth specifically in its architecture. The mosque which is of great monumental and religious value is an outstanding example of this.

Virunga National Park in Congo covers an area of 790,000 hectares on the border with Uganda and Ruwanda. It comprises an outstanding diversity of habitats ranging from swamps and steppes, savannas and lava plains, lowlands and forests, to high altitude glaciers and mountain peaks. It presents some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Africa.

An exceptional biodiversity of plants and animals include endemic and rare and globally endangered species. The mountain gorilla is an example. The highest concentration of hippopotamus numbering 20,000 is found here along with a variety of wildlife including elephants, buffalo, antelope, lions and monkeys.

The Amphitheatre of El Jam is located on a plain in central Tunisia and is considered the most impressive Roman monument in Africa. The third century monument stands at 30 metres high, with a diameter of over 100 metres, almost as large as the Colosseum in Rome.

Its size and its capacity is said to be around 35,000 spectators thus making it the largest amphitheatre in the world. Built around 238 A.D., the impressive ruins of this large colosseum are built entirely of stone blocks with no foundations and are freestanding.

The Kenya Lake System in the Rift Valley province comprises of three interlinked, relatively shallow lakes – Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Elemntaita. These lakes cover an area of over 32,000 hectares and boasts of some of the world’s greatest diversities and concentrations of bird species.

It is home to 13 globally threatened bird species and is the single most important foraging site for the lesser flamingo anywhere and a major nesting and breeding ground for great white pelicans. A sizeable mammal population includes the black rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, greater kudo, lion, cheetah and wild dog.

The Medina of Marrakesh is located in central Morocco is an old Islamic capital originating from the 11th century. Among the impressive monuments in Marrakesh is the famous Koutoubiya Mosque with its 77 metre minaret built during the 12th century under the Almohad dynasty. It is a splendid monument of Muslim architecture and is one of the most important landmarks of the urban landscape and is a symbol of the city.