1720 KE - The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (2024)

The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi

Surrounded by a remnant coastal forest, away from the coastline, the abandoned city of Gedi was one of the most important Swahili cities on the East African coast from the 10th to 17th centuries. During this period, it was part of a complex and international network of trade and cultural exchanges that crossed the Indian Ocean, linking African coastal centres with Persia and other areas. The opulent settlement is clearly delineated by walls and features remains of domestic, religious, and civic architecture, and a sophisticated water management system. It strongly represents the characteristics of Swahili architecture and town planning, utilising materials such as coral rag, coral and earth mortar and wood.

格迪古镇和考古遗址

被遗弃的格迪（Gedi）古镇离海不远，四周残存的沿海森林将其与海岸隔开。10-17世纪，它曾是东非海岸最重要的斯瓦希里城市之一。那段时间里，格迪是横跨印度洋的复杂国际贸易和文化交流网络的一部分，参与将非洲沿海中心与波斯和其他地区连接起来。城墙清晰地勾勒出这一富饶市镇的轮廓，其中保留着民居、宗教、城镇建筑遗迹，以及先进的水务系统。格迪古镇充分体现了斯瓦西里建筑和城市规划的特色，其使用的建筑材料包括珊瑚石灰岩、珊瑚砂浆、土砂浆、木材等。

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1720

800 KE - Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (1997)

At 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano, which during its period of activity (3.1-2.6 million years ago) is thought to have risen to 6,500 m. There are 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa. The evolution and ecology of its afro-alpine flora provide an outstanding example of ecological and biological processes. Through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve, the property also incorporates lower lying scenic foothills and arid habitats of high biodiversity, situated in the ecological transition zone between the mountain ecosystem and the semi-arid savanna grasslands. The area also lies within the traditional migrating route of the African elephant population.

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/800

Courtesy of kara_ annfrom Postcrossing Forum

801 KE - Lake Turkana National Parks (1997)

The most saline of Africa's large lakes, Turkana is an outstanding laboratory for the study of plant and animal communities. The three National Parks serve as a stopover for migrant waterfowl and are major breeding grounds for the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus and a variety of venomous snakes. The Koobi Fora deposits, rich in mammalian, molluscan and other fossil remains, have contributed more to the understanding of paleo-environments than any other site on the continent.

尔卡纳湖国家公园

图尔卡纳湖是非洲含盐量最高的大湖，它为研究动植物种群提供了良好环境。这里的三个国家公园既是迁徙水鸟的中途停留地，也是尼罗河鳄鱼、河马和各种毒蛇的栖息地。在图尔卡纳湖畔发现的库比·福勒化石遗迹中发掘出了许多哺乳动物、软体动物和其他动物的化石，它对于研究理解古代自然环境所作的贡献是非洲任何其他地方无法比拟的。

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/801

Courtesy of kara_ ann from Postcrossing Forum

1060 KE - Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (2001)

 Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley

The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley , a natural property of outstanding beauty, comprises three inter-linked relatively shallow lakes (Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita) in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya and covers a total area of 32,034 hectares. The property is home to 13 globally threatened bird species and some of the highest bird diversities in the world. It is the single most important foraging site for the lesser flamingo anywhere, and a major nesting and breeding ground for great white pelicans. The property features sizeable mammal populations, including black rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, greater kudu, lion, cheetah and wild dogs and is valuable for the study of ecological processes of major importance.

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1060

Courtesy of kara_ ann from Postcrossing Forum

02- Nakuru

1055 KE - Lamu Old Town (2001)

Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors. Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.

拉穆古镇

拉穆古镇是东非最古老、保存最完整的斯瓦希里人聚居地，并仍然保持着它的传统作用。这个镇用珊瑚石和红树林木材建造而成，以简朴的结构为特色，同时，庭院、阳台走廊、精心雕刻的木门为其增添了很多特有风貌。从19世纪开始，主要的穆斯林宗教节日活动都在这里举行，这里也已经成为伊斯兰和斯瓦希里文化的重要研究中心。

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1055

Courtesy of kara_ ann from Postcrossing Forum

1295 KE - Fort Jesus, Mombasa (2011)

The Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 to the designs of Giovanni Battista Cairati to protect the port of Mombasa, is one of the most outstanding and well preserved examples of 16th Portuguese military fortification and a landmark in the history of this type of construction. The Fort's layout and form reflected the Renaissance ideal that perfect proportions and geometric harmony are to be found in the human body. The property covers an area of 2.36 hectares and includes the fort's moat and immediate surroundings.

蒙巴萨的耶稣堡

在1593-1596年间由葡萄牙人修建而成。用于保护蒙巴萨港口城堡由乔瓦尼·巴蒂斯塔·凯拉迪（Giovanni Battista Cairati） 设计，是16世纪葡萄牙军事要塞建筑中最出色的作品之一，代表着此类建筑物历史上的一个里程碑，受到了良好的保护。城堡的设计布局与形式体现了文艺复兴的理想，即采用同样可以在人体比例中找到的那种完美和谐的比例与几何构图。这一遗产占地2.36公顷，包括护城河以及周围的附属部分。

Source UNESCO WH website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1295

Courtesy of kara_ ann from Postcrossing Forum