UNESCO has added several new global treasures to its list of World Heritage sites, bringing the total number of protected places to 1001, euronews reported.
Top of the list is the wildlife-rich Okavango delta in Botswana. It contains a number of endangered species and is unusual in that it is inland and does not flow into a sea. It also floods during the dry season, which has produced a unique ecosystem.
The Grotte Chauvet-Pont d'Arc painted caves in the Ardeche in France were only discovered in 1994. They are the oldest known cave paintings in the world.
From prehistory to just yesterday, UNESCO has included the Van Nellefabriek in the Netherlands. Built between 1925-31, it is a prime example of the international style of architecture, influenced by Russian constructivism.
The vinyard landscape of Piedmont, Langhe-Roero and Monferrato is included as emblematic of the development of wine growing in Italy, and shows a range of economic and social processes.
The city of Bursa and its surrounding area in Turkey shows the establishment of urban and rural systems in what would be the new capital of the nascent Ottoman empire.
The silk roads network along the Chang'an-Tianshan corridor was in use for 1600 years and linked several civilisations. The 5000 kilometre section includes a host of Chinese sites of special scientific interest.
The Andean roads system crosses six countries, stitching together the civilisations of the South American empires.
Other nominated sites include locations in the USA, Israel, Iran, and South Korea.