Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Les Chutes du $5

Discover Les Chutes du $5 in Notre-Dame-de-Montauban, Québec: The falls were named for the mistaken idea that they were the ones pictured on the Canadian $5 bill.

Waldorf Astoria Archives

Discover Waldorf Astoria Archives in New York, New York: Long-forgotten artifacts give incredible insight into New York's most glamorous hotel.

Madonna of the Trail

Discover Madonna of the Trail in Bethesda, Maryland: She stares out across six lanes of traffic, clutching a musket and infant with determination.

South Mountain Fairy Trail

Discover South Mountain Fairy Trail in Millburn, New Jersey: These mystical miniature houses bring a touch of magic to the New Jersey woods.

Wehrum Ghost Town

The ruined remains of the old coal mining are hidden within the woods.

Dubai Gold Souk

Discover Dubai Gold Souk in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.

Olmec Head Roundabout

Discover Olmec Head Roundabout in Madrid, Spain: An exact replica of a colossal Olmec head sits atop a pyramid within a Madrid traffic circle.

Masada: Israel’s Ancient Fortress

Discover Masada in Masada, Israel: This daunting 1st century fortress was purportedly the site of one of the most dramatic revolts of the Jewish-Roman wars.

Ecological Plastic Bottle House

Discover Ecological Plastic Bottle House in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina: One family's mission to exemplify sustainability took on a whole new life as a surprisingly beautiful home.

The Ananuri Fortress

Discover Ananuri in Georgia: This architecturally eclectic fortress witnessed centuries of bloody turmoil, including the massacre of its ruling clan.

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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

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