UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Venezuela

UNESCO's Description

With its earthen constructions unique to the Caribbean, Coro is the only surviving example of a rich fusion of local traditions with Spanish Mudéjar and Dutch architectural techniques. One of the first colonial towns (founded in 1527), it has some 602 historic buildings.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

Coro and its Port's addition to UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1993 was supported by several criteria. The city's historic buildings were constructed using traditional indigenous mud building techniques, including bahareque, adobe, and tapia (criteria iv). One of Latin America’s oldest colonial towns, much of the original layout and structures have been retained. Due to its role as the domain of the Welsers, a prominent German banking and merchant family, between the years 1528 and 1546, Coro’s street plan mirrors those of medieval German cities.

With its earthen constructions unique to the Caribbean, Coro is the only surviving example of a rich fusion of local traditions with colonial Spanish Mudéjar, and Dutch architectural techniques (criteria v).

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q65621655 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

Canaima National Park is spread over 3 million ha in south-eastern Venezuela along the border between Guyana and Brazil. Roughly 65% of the park is covered by table mountain (tepui) formations. The tepuis constitute a unique biogeological entity and are of great geological interest. The sheer cliffs and waterfalls, including the world's highest (1,000 m), form a spectacular landscape.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

As early as 1990, the countries that participate in the Amazonian Cooperation Treaty had recommended expanding the Canaima National Park southward to connect it with Monte Roraima National Park in Brazil, with coordinated management of tourism, research and conservation.

In 1994, the Canaima National Park was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The International Union for Conservation of Nature performed a conservation assessment in 2017, which listed Canaima National Park as an area of significant concern, citing ineffective protection and management.

Location

Canaima National Park is the second largest park in Venezuela, after Parima-Tapirapecó, and sixth biggest national park in the world. It is roughly the same size as Belgium or Maryland. The park protects part of the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion.

About 65% of the park is occupied by plateaus of rock called tepuis, which are a kind of table-top mountain millions of years old, with vertical walls and almost flat tops. These constitute a unique biological environment and are also of great geological interest. Their sheer cliffs and waterfalls including Angel Falls, which is the highest waterfall in the world, at 979 metres (3,212 ft).

The most famous tepuis in the park are Mount Roraima, the tallest and easiest to climb, and Auyantepui, the site of Angel Falls.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q1244337 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

The Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas, built to the design of the architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva, between 1940 and 1960, is an outstanding example of the Modern Movement in architecture. The university campus integrates the large number of buildings and functions into a clearly articulated ensemble, including masterpieces of modern architecture and visual arts, such as the Aula Magna with the "Clouds" of Alexander Calder, the Olympic Stadium, and the Covered Plaza.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q1061531 (CC0).