World Heritage Sites in Argentina

Argentina is a country with a rich history, stunning nature and a diverse fauna. On its territory lived a lot of ethnic groups, and generations of colonists were replaced one by one. All this left a big imprint not only on the history and economy of the country, but also on its cultural appearance. Not surprisingly, as many as 10 natural and architectural sites in Argentina were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

List of World Heritage Sites in Argentina

There are six cultural and four natural World Heritage sites in the country. And this is quite normal for the state, which in itself is full of contrasts.

At present, the following sites in Argentina are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List:

• National Park Los Glaciares ;
• Jesuit missions located on the land of the Guarani Indians ;
• Iguazu National Park ;
• Cueva de las Manos cave ;
• the Valdez Peninsula ;
• the natural park of Ischigualasto ;
• the Jesuit quarter and the mission in Cordoba ;
• the Kebrada de Umauaca gorge ;
• the Andean road system Khapak-Nyan ;
• The modernist structures of the architect Le Corbusier .

The natural, cultural and architectural significance of objects

Let's find out what value these Argentine sights have in themselves and why they were honored to get on this list:

1. Park Los Glaciares is the first object of the country that was listed. This happened in 1981. The area of ​​the park is almost 4500 square meters. km. It is a huge ice cap, the waters of which feed glaciers of smaller size, and then flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The second in the list of World Heritage sites in Argentina were made Jesuit missions , located in the territory that belongs to the Indians of the Guarani tribe. Among them:
   • San Ignacio Mini, founded in 1632;
   • Santa Ana, which was laid in 1633;
   • Nuestra Señora de Loreto, built in 1610 and destroyed during the war between the Jesuits and Guarani Indians;
   • Santa Maria la Mayor, built in 1626.
   All these objects are interesting in that they tell the story of the spread of the Jesuit mission in the territory of Argentina. Some of them are in excellent condition, while others managed to retain their original appearance only partially.
3. In 1984, the Iguazu National Park , located in northern Argentina, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The waterfall is surrounded by subtropical jungles, in which 2 thousand exotic plants grow and more than 500 species of animals and plants live.
4. The Cueva de las Manos cave was included in the list in 1999. It is known for its rock carvings depicting fingerprints. According to researchers, prints belong to adolescent boys. Perhaps drawing drawings was part of the initiation rite.
5. In the same year, 1999, the Valdez peninsula on the Atlantic coast of Argentina became an example of the world heritage sites of Argentina. It is an unsettled territory serving as a habitat for eared seals, elephant seals and other mammals.
6. In 2000, the list was enlarged by the parks of Talampay and Ischigualasto . This is a territory known for its canyons, quaint rocks, petroglyphs and exotic animals.
7. In the same year, Jesuit missions and quarters located in the town of Cordoba were added to World Heritage sites in Argentina. This architectural ensemble includes:
   • National University (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba);
   • Monserrat School;
   • Reductions built by the Jesuits;
   • the Jesuit church of the 17th century;
   • row of houses.
8. The Quebrada de Umouaca gorge in Argentina became a heritage site in 2003. It represents a picturesque valley, which for a long time was a site of the caravan route. This is a kind of "Great Silk Road", located in the southern hemisphere.
9. The Andean road system Khapak-Nyan consists of a large number of cobbled roads that were built by the Incas in the era of Indian civilizations. Road construction ceased only with the advent of the Spanish conquerors. The total length of the route is 60,000 km, but in 2014 only those sections that were preserved better than others were included in the list.
10. To date, the last objects in Argentina, which were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are the architectural structures of Le Corbusier . He is a well-known architect and artist, who became the founder of modernism and functionalism. Its structures are distinguished by the presence of large blocks, columns, flat roofs and rough surfaces. Many of the features that are seen in modern construction, were invented by this genius.

All architectural and natural monuments, which are an example of World Heritage sites in Argentina, are protected by a special law of the country. It was adopted on August 23, 1978. This should be taken into account for those tourists who do not know which World Heritage sites are in Argentina, and how to treat them.

For 2016 there are 6 more facilities that can be listed in the future.