UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Namibia

There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Namibia. One of these sites is cultural while the other is natural.

  • Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (2007)
  • Namib Sand Sea (2013)

Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (2007)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Namibia

This site holds the largest collection of rock engravings in the continent. Hence, it was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Namibia. Most of the rock engravings depict animals such as rhinoceros, ostrich, giraffes and elephants. Meanwhile, there are also drawings of humans and footprints inside rock shelters. According to archaeologists, most of the items that were excavated from two sections of the site date back to the Late Stone Age. This serves as evidence of hunter-gatherers who lived in the region and their ritual practices during that time.

Namib Sand Sea (2013)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Namibia

This is the only natural site included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Namibia. It is also very unique as a natural feature as this is the only coastal desert in the world. The desert basically consists of sand seas along the coastline. Most of the sand dunes rise up to 300 meters in elevation and span over 32 kilometers in length. The proximity to the coast helps provide moisture to the desert life, although the site has been notorious for shipwrecks, particularly the Skeleton Coast. Many shipwreck ruins remain on the site until today.

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