Curonian Spit (2000)
Russia
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Human habitation of this elongated sand dune peninsula, 98 km long and 0.4-4
km wide, dates back to prehistoric times. Throughout this period it has been
threatened by the natural forces of wind and waves. Its survival to the present
day has been made possible only as a result of ceaseless human efforts to combat
the erosion of the Spit, dramatically illustrated by continuing stabilisation
and reforestation projects.
It is possible to find amber washed ashore by the tides. The Amber Room of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is claimed to be decorated with amber pieces uniquely from the Russian region of Kaliningrad and Curonian Spit. |
This site is a transboundary property with Lithuania. The Lithuanian part of the area is a national park.
In its justification for inscription the UNESCO states that The Curonian Spit is an outstanding example of a landscape of sand dunes that is under constant threat from natural forces (wind and tide). After disastrous human interventions that menaced its survival the Spit was reclaimed by massive protection and stabilization works begun in the 19th century and still continuing to the present day.
Sources and links:
Other World Heritage Sites in Russia (on this web site). Inactive links are not described on stamps. Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, Russia-section, for further information on such sites.
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Revised 21 jul 2006 |
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