Thursday, January 21, 2010 — 5:15 p.m. — 24.3°F
The December issue of the Google Earth monthly SightSeer newsletter introduced a new layer for Google Earth that contains placemarkers for World Heritage Sites. I’m not sure if the layer includes all current sites on the list, but it has hundreds and hundreds. The KML file in English is whc-en.kml, and it can be downloaded directly.
Google Earth display of 4 World Heritage Sites in the Philippines and Malaysia.
Example information window for an individual World Heritage Site.
The individual site locations are indicated in Google Earth with distinctive markers accompanied by labels. Sites that the World Heritage Committee considers endangered have red markers. Clicking once on a label brings up a window with a picture, some basic information, and a link to additional information. One caveat—this additional information link is to the site’s page on the World Heritage website, and the additional information seems to be more in the nature of the status and history of the location’s World Heritage designation, rather than information about the actual geographical site. You’ll have to do some simple Googling for additional material on the site itself.
World Heritage Sites are locations of cultural or physical significance, selected and designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee. There are currently 890 designated World Heritage Sites (689 cultural, 176 natural, and 25 mixed), located in 148 countries. For example, Mesa Verde National Park (cultural), the Statue of Liberty (cultural), Grand Canyon National Park (natural), and Mammoth Cave National Park (natural) are 4 of the 20 World Heritage Sites within the United States. The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in Peru, an incredible ancient city at about 8,000 feet elevation (2400m) constructed at the peak of the Incan Empire, is an example of a “mixed” (both cultural and natural) site.
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, an Incan Empire city in Peru.
You’re sure to find lots of amazing places you’ve never heard of and would love to see in person. One new discovery for me was Sewell Mining Town, in Chile. Constructed more than 100 years ago, the town was necessary to support El Teniente, the world’s largest underground Copper mine. The problem was, the location was mountainous and completely unsuited for roads. So they built the whole city clinging to the side of a mountain, and included half a zillion steps. Now completely abandoned (since the 1970s), Sewell Mining Town peaked at some 15,000 residents before 1920. By the way, although the town is abandoned, the mine continues production, now in its 190th year!
Sewell Mining Town, Chile. Now abandoned, it supported El Teniente, the world's largest underground Copper mine, which is still producing ore.
Here’s a list of all World Heritage Sites arranged by country.
You can still access past issues of the Google Earth SightSeer, and they’re worth a look. Most items discussed are new features for Google Earth, which would be in effect from that date onward. In every issue you’re almost sure to learn of some neat tricks and sites that are new to you. It’s easy to subscribe to the newsletter and have the latest issue delivered via email each month. I’m running a month behind, but I’m just about to look at the January issue, so if I see something worthy, you may see another Google Earth post right away!
