UNESCO Heritage List Sites, Mexico
A Listing of Mexican Cultural and Natural Sites Added after 2000
Six cultural and natural Mexican sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in the 21st century bearing testimony to Mexico's rich history and diversity.
With 27 sites, Mexico has more sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list than any other country in the Americas. Thus far, the following six sites have been added to the list during the 21st century:
Ancient Maya City of Calakmul, Campeche (added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002)
Calakmul is an impressive Mayan site with well-preserved monuments. It played a major role in Mayan cultural life for well over twelve centuries. It is in the rain forests of the relatively flat lands of the southern Yucatan Peninsula.
Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro (added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003)
The five, mid-18th-century Franciscan Missions were important during the final stages of converting central Mexico to Christianity. The architectural style, and especially façades, show cooperation between the missionaries and indigenous populations. These missions largely inspired those that followed in California, Arizona, and Texas.
Luis Barragán House and Studio, Mexico City (added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004)
The house and studio of famed Mexican architect Luis Barragán in Mexico City was built in 1948. It is a superb example of the architect’s work in the post-World War II period. As is usual with his designs, Barragán incorporated the modern and traditional in a synthesis that has continue to influence modern design not only of buildings but also parks, gardens, and public spacesl.
Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005, 2007)
Coastal areas and almost 250 islands are included in this protected site in the Sea of Cortez. The sea is home to 695 vascular plant species, 891 fish species, and almost 40% of the world’s marine mammal species, and a third of the world’s marine cetacean species. Most major oceanographic processes occurring in the planet’s oceans can be studied here.
Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila (added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006)
This huge site revolves around the blue agave plants that have been a source for clothing and alcoholic drinks for well over 2,000 years. The site include blue agave fields, tequila production facilities, and haciendas ranging in architectural styles from simple adobe structures to the Baroque and Neo Classical.
Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007)
The Central University City Campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City is a unique mid-20th-century campus of buildings, sport and cultural facilities, as well as open spaces designed by around 60 architects and engineers. The design takes into considerations the traditions of Mexico, including pre-Hispanic elements. Rather rarely, the complete proposals of the modernist movement to improve the quality of modern urban life through careful architectural design and urban planning were actually implemented here in full. This campus of UNAM, one of Latin America’s top universities, is considered a significant icon of modernity in Latin America
Further sources on suite101.com:
- Mexican sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage list during the 1980s
- Mexican sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage list during the 1990s
