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The Marquesas finally have their answer: the archipelago is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of more than 1,200 on the list.
It has been nearly fifteen years since the Marquesas Islands submitted their application for World Heritage status to UNESCO. The answer is finally here: the archipelago is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is the 53rd place in France to be included in the list, after last year’s Montagne Pelée volcano and forest and the peaks of the north of Martinique. The Marquesas Islands are registered under the name “Te Henua Enata” as a mixed cultural and natural property.
The Marquesas Islands are one of five archipelagos in French Polynesia, located nearly 6,000 km from the American continent and Australia and nearly 1,500 km from Tahiti. The land area totals 1,050 square kilometers, covering approximately 700,000 square kilometers of sea area.
Marquesa residents are closely following the UNESCO-registered project.”This is so grand! This has been going on for too long! We need to finalize it”, exclaimed one resident a few weeks ago in an interview with Marie Curvat of Polynésie La 1ère. Between reluctance and hesitation, the project did not immediately gain unanimous support among the Marquesans. Some residents worry they will no longer be able to live on their land. It will be used for confidential sites that are becoming increasingly popular with tourists.
Through their traditions and culture, the Marquesas are now recognized as a priceless and protected asset. “The Marquesas Islands bear witness to an almost lost cultural tradition and a living civilization.”, the application argues. Archaeological sites, marine reserves, endemic bird sanctuaries: so much debate prompted the committee to assign a place to the archipelago in the list. More than 700 archaeological and legendary sites have been identified. On the islands.
“The Marquesas Islands represent extraordinary natural phenomena and an area of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic significance.” This was one of the criteria for nominating the site to UNESCO. These islands areAreas identified at the international level as facing high conservation challenges in terms of exceptional terrestrial and marine natural heritage“Appointed committee.
In addition to the economic benefits associated with the region’s tourist attractions, the Marquesas will also be able to benefit from biodiversity conservation initiatives. Like Mount Pelee in Martinique or the peaks of Réunion Island.
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