UNESCO 2012 World Heritage List: 26 new wonders of the world

Every year, the UNESCO, which stands for 'United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation', awards 'world heritage' status to sites and monuments of oustanding beauty and cultural significance. The organisation also becomes in part responsible for the preservation and promotion of such sites.

The 2012 UNESCO World Heritage List has recently been published and here is what you can look forward to in the upcoming year round the globe:

Russia - Lena Pillars Nature Park in Yakutia
Indonesia - Subak System and Pura Water Temple of Pura Taman at Bali Province
Palau - Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
Germany - Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth
Canada - Landscape of Grand Pré
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro's Carioca Landscapes
China - Xanadu Site and Chengjiang Fossil Site
Chad - Lakes of Ounianga Kebir
Bahrain - Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy
Congo - Sangha Trinational Cameroon in Central African Republic
India - Western Ghats
Bethlehem - Birthplace of Jesus: Pilgrimage Route and Church of the Nativity
Portugal - Garrison Border Town and its Fortifications at Elvas
Sweden - Decorated Farmhouse in Hälsingland
Morocco - Rabat: Historical City and Modern Capital Malaysia - Lenggong Valley's Archaeological Heritage
Iran - Istafan's Masjed-e J?mé and Gonbad-e Q?bus
Senegal - Bassari, Bedik, and Fula Cultural Landscapes
Turkey - Neolithic Site of Catalhöyük
Israel - Mount Carmel's Sites of Human Evolution
Slovenia - Heritage of Mercury at Spain, Almaden and Idrija
Ivory Coast - Historic Town of Grand-Bassam
Belgium - Wallonia's Major Mining Sites
France - Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin