The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations and was created in 1945, at the end of World War II. Unlike the United Nations, UNESCO is headquarted in Paris, and not New York City. A UNESCO World Heritage Site can be designated as such by meeting the following criteria; having cultural and natural heritage around the world and being of outstanding value to all humanity. A UNESCO site can be made of nature or man made.
Probably the most important factor in designating sites to be of world heritage was the looting, destruction, and pillaging of museums, palaces, cities in Europe by the Nazi's and Russian Red Army troops before, during, and after WWII. Learn more about this dark part of history free on TUBI "The Rape of Europa".
There are currently 1,199 sites worldwide designated as World Heritage Sites. Only eight are Universities of higher learning. Only one is located in the United States of America.
Thomas Jefferson, our talented and controversal 3rd U.S. President built his home near Charlottsville Virginia. He enslaved over 600 African men, women, and children during his lifetime. He also impregnated and fathered slave children, most known with Sally Hemings (1773-1835)
Portrait courtesy of Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, and the University of Virginia, both designed by Jefferson, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can take a virtual walking tour of the beautiful UVA campus here.
Very interesting!!