Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Lhasa Fast Food

Discover Lhasa Fast Food in Queens, New York: A hidey-hole sandwiched between cellphone, DVD, and jewelry stores features Tibetan delights.

Cueva Clara

Discover Cueva Clara in Quebrada, Puerto Rico: An enchanting natural wonder in Puerto Rico's Camuy River Park.

La Ceiba Park

Discover La Ceiba Park in Salcoatitán, El Salvador: A legendary tree towers within its own vibrant sanctuary.

Desert Bottle Tree

Discover Desert Bottle Tree in Wendover, Utah: A quirky old tree covered in tokens, cans, and bottles of wishes.

Deadman’s Hill

Discover Deadman's Hill in Elmira, Michigan: This scenic overlook commemorates the tragic death of a soon-to-be-married lumberjack.

Xalapa Museum of Anthropology

Discover Xalapa Museum of Anthropology in Xalapa, Mexico: The largest collection of artifacts from the Olmec civilization, the mother culture of Mesoamerica.

Szamos Marzipan Exhibition and Workshop

Discover Szamos Marzipan Exhibition and Workshop in Szentendre, Hungary: Everything from miniature biblical scenes to life-sized statues are almond-based at this sweet and nutty gallery.

Growing Rock of Usterling

Discover Growing Rock of Usterling in Usterling, Germany: Nestled within a German forest is an intriguing, growing rock.

Datia Palace

Discover Datia Palace in Datia, India: This deserted palace is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture in India.

Bennets Bar

Discover Bennets Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland: This historic pub has maintained much of its 1906 decor, including a small sequestered room for women, where orders were slipped through a tiny window.

Crocodiles of Sumidero Canyon

Discover Crocodiles of Sumidero Canyon in Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico: In this breathtaking canyon, crocodiles bask on boulders and glide through the murky waters.

Four Mile Historic Park

Discover Four Mile Historic Park in Glendale, Colorado: It's easy to forget what century it is as you wander this rustic homestead.

Renaissance Book Shop

Discover Renaissance Book Shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: A wonderfully curated used bookstore at the airport.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

Discover Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, Oregon: This little slice of the Netherlands in the Pacific Northwest blooms in a rainbow of color each spring.

Doe’s Eat Place

Discover Doe's Eat Place in Greenville, Mississippi: In the mid-20th century, a tamale-slinging juke joint attracted a diverse clientele in the Mississippi Delta.

Copley Chimney

Discover Copley Chimney in Copley, England: This industrial chimney looks rather out of place, isolated in the middle of an attractive woodland.

Museo del Pulque y las Pulquerías

Discover Museo del Pulque y las Pulquerías in Mexico City, Mexico: Explore the history of Mexico's lesser-known ancient alcoholic beverage.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 261 ii
To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. 480 iii
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. 514 iv
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. 642 ix
To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. 137 v
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 172 vi
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). 256 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 151 viii
To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. 98 x
To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 168

PP ToS