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Mont-Perdu site is registered on the Worldwide Heritage list since 1997

176 countries aknowledge the Convention of November 16, 1972 regarding the protection and enhancement of the World wide natural and cultural Heritage

The sites registered on the World Heritage list are so outstanding that "their lose or damage would be juged as a real disaster for the mumanity".

These sites belong to the universal values and their preservation is full of interest for the whole humanity. Besides they are the most representative of their cultural and natural heritage range.

The crossborder Mount Perdu massif has been registered on the World Heritage list since December 6, 1997 for both "natural and cultural" landscape criteria.

Among the 754 sites registered on the World Heritage list (December 1999) only twenty three -six only in Europa- have been awarded for this dual aspect:

America
- Tikal National Park (Guatemala)
- Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Peru)
- Rio Abiseo National Park (Peru)

Europe
- Mount Athos (Greece)
- Meteora (Greece)
- Mont-Perdu (France and Spain)
- Orhid Region (Macedonia)
- The Laponian Area (Sweden)
- Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites rupestres of Cappadocia (Turkey)
- Hierapolis-Pamukkale (Turkey)
- Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture (Spain)

Africa
- Tassili n'Ajjer (Algeria)
- Cliff of Biandagara (Mali)
- uKhahlamba, Darkensberg Park (South Africa)

Asia and Pacific
- Kadaku National Park (Australia)
- Willandra Lakes Region (Australia)
- Tasmanian Wilderness (Australia)
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia)
- Mount Taishan (China)
- Mount Huangshan (China)
- Mount Wuyy (China)
- Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha (China)
- Tongariro National Park (New Zealand)
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The Committee inscribed the site under natural criteria (i) and (iii). The calcareous massif of the Mount Perdu displays classic geological land forms, including deep canyons and spectacular cirque walls. It is also an outstanding scenic landscape with meadows, lakes, caves and forests on mountain slopes. In addition, the area is of high interest to science and conservation.

Concerning cultural values, the Committee inscribed the property on the basis of criteria (iii), (iv) and (v): The Pyrénées-Mont Perdu area between France and Spain is an outstanding cultural landscape which combines scenic beauty with a socio-economic structure that has its roots in the past and illustrates a mountain way of life that has become rare in Europe.

The Committee furthermore encouraged France to consider including the village of Bestué and its environs, including its spectacular flights of terraced fields.

The Delegate of the Republic of Korea made the following statement: "The Republic of Korea is very sensitive to issues of a transfrontier or joint nature and admires not only the beauty of the cultural landscape but also the beauty of the spirit of entente cordiale which exists between the two different communities of France and Spain".
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Natural criteria
(i) 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;

(iii) contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;

Cultural criteria
(iii) bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared; or

(iv) an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history; or

(v) an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement or land-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;



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MPPM Association
Mont-Perdu Patrimoine Mondial - Worldwide Heritage list - 14/01/2002