Faya Palaeolandscape

The Faya Palaeolandscape (in the Sharjah region, United Arab Emirates) is a major UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exceptional and enduring archaeological evidence. 

Age and Continuity: The area contains traces of early human habitation dating back more than 210,000 years, making it home to one of the oldest and most continuous records of human presence in arid environments in the world. 

Human Resilience: Excavations (including stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic) demonstrate how early human groups managed to adapt over the millennia to extreme climate fluctuations and periods of drought in Arabia. 

Strategic Location: The landscape, situated near the Jebel Faya between the desert and the Hajar Mountains, offered early humans vital freshwater sources and raw materials such as flint for tools during wetter periods.

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Laguardia

Laguardia (Basque: Guardia) is a beautiful medieval town in Rioja Alavesa (province of Álava, Basque Country, Spain), with about 1,450 inhabitants. 

It is situated on a hilltop and is surrounded by a 13th-century wall with five historic gates. 

It is the undisputed capital of the Rioja Alavesa wine region and is known for its excellent Rioja wines. 

Highlights: Historic center: narrow streets, Renaissance and Baroque houses, and an atmospheric medieval feel. 

Santa María de los Reyes: impressive Gothic church with a rare polychrome (colored) portal from the 14th century. 

Underground bodegas: more than 300 wine cellars and tunnels beneath the streets, ideal for wine tastings. 

Birthplace of the famous fabulist Félix María Samaniego.

It is a member of “Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España” and combines wine, history, and beautiful views of the vineyards and the Sierra de Cantabria. 

Perfect for a day trip from Logroño or Vitoria.

In short: one of the most beautiful and authentic wine villages in Northern Spain.

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Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor

FRIM Forest Park in Kepong, Selangor (near Kuala Lumpur) is a unique man-made tropical rainforest of approximately 545–589 hectares. 

It originated in the 1920s on heavily degraded land due to tin mining and agriculture. 

Scientists planted native tree species, allowing it to develop into a mature rainforest with more than 2,500 tree species. 

It is the oldest and largest restored tropical rainforest in the world and an important research center for sustainable forestry (established in 1926, now a government institution). 

In July 2025, it was granted UNESCO World Heritage status (criteria iv) as a pioneer in large-scale forest restoration. 

Visitor highlights: Kepong Botanic Gardens with arboretums, gardens, and walking paths. 

Forest Skywalk (canopy walkway) for views over the forest. 

Nature trails, waterfalls, mountain biking, and educational activities. 

More than 500,000 visitors per year; reservations often required. 

FRIM is a perfect combination of science, conservation, and ecotourism, just 16 km from Kuala Lumpur. It shows how devastated land can become a living ecosystem again.

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Wakkerstroom

Wakkerstroom is a small, charming town in the province of Mpumalanga, South Africa, on the border with KwaZulu-Natal. 

History: Founded in 1859 as one of the oldest places in Mpumalanga (second oldest after Mashishing/Lydenburg). 

Originally named after President Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (Marthinus-Wesselstroom), later renamed after the Wakkerstroom River (“wakker/lively stream”, translation of the Zulu name uThaka). 

Founded on the Gryshoek farm by Dirk Cornelis “Swart Dirk” Uys. 

Location: Quiet valley at the foot of Mount Ossewakop, approx. 27 km east of Volksrust. 

Surrounded by wetlands, grasslands, and mountains. 

Known for: World-famous among birdwatchers (wetlands with hides, rare species such as Rudd’s Lark, Botha’s Lark, Blue Crane). 

Historical monuments (courthouse, St. Mark’s Church, old bridge). 

Nature, tranquility, and heritage (Anglo-Boer War). 

Current: Quiet tourist destination (birding, fishing, hiking, festivals), sheep and cattle farming, population around 7,000. 

In short: a peaceful, historical, and nature-rich “hidden gem” ideal for nature lovers and peace seekers.

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Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia

Neolithicum (5e-3e millennium v.Chr.): Eenvoudige grotten → domus de janas (rotsgraven, “feeënhuizen”). 

Collectieve graven die huizen nabootsten, met oker en stierenmotieven (wedergeboorte).

Ca. 3500 exemplaren. 

Bronstijd (Nuragisch, 2e-1e millennium v.Chr.): Tombe dei Giganti (reuzengraven). 

Monumentale collectieve ganggraven met exedra en stele voor vooroudercultus. 

Kenmerkend: collectieve begravingen, band levenden-doden, symboliek van huis/uterus/kracht. V

an egalitair naar meer hiërarchisch. 

UNESCO-erfgoed (domus de janas).

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Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes (Plitvice Lakes National Park) is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of Croatia and Europe. 

The park, established in 1949 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is located in the Lika region and covers approximately 295 km². 

It consists of 16 crystal-clear lakes (divided into upper and lower lakes) connected by about 90 waterfalls. 

How was it formed? 

A unique natural process of travertine (tuff) deposition from calcium-rich water creates the terraces and dams that form the lakes and cascades. 

The water is often turquoise, and the landscape slowly changes due to this process. 

Highlights: Breathtaking waterfalls and wooden boardwalks. 

Dense forests with bears, wolves, lynxes, and many birds. 

Largest lake: Kozjak (with boat connection). 

It is the oldest and most popular national park in Croatia. 

Preferably visit early or on a weekday to avoid crowds. 

A fairytale-like place that you really must see!

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Gola-Tiwai Complex

The Gola-Tiwai Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2025) in Sierra Leone and the country's first. 

It consists of a series of protected areas: the Gola Rainforest National Park (with three sections: North, Central, and South) and the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary (a small river island of approx. 12 km² in the Moa River). 

Location: Southeast Sierra Leone, part of the Upper Guinean Forest – one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots with intact tropical rainforest (very low deforestation). 

Biodiversity: The area is home to: 

More than 1,000 plant species (113 endemic). 

55 mammal species (19 endangered), including the western chimpanzee (high density), African forest elephant, pygmy hippopotamus, several monkey species and pangolins. 

Up to 448 bird species, including the rare white-necked rockfowl. 

Many fish species, butterflies, and dragonflies. 

Reason for World Heritage status (criteria ix and x): exceptional ecological processes in a humid tropical forest and crucial for the conservation of endangered species. 

The complex is important for nature conservation, ecotourism (especially Tiwai Island), and research. 

It survived the civil war and other threats thanks to local and international efforts. 

In short: one of the last large areas of intact rainforest in West Africa with exceptional richness in plants and animals.

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