World Subterranean Heritage

Abstract

For the first time, the World Subterranean Heritage explorations are represented. Regarding the type of heritage, the unique remarkable properties can be divided into three main groups: cultural, natural, and mixed, cultural-natural ones. The distribution of the World Subterranean Heritage by the parts of the world and by the countries is analyzed. The following outstanding subterranean cultural properties are considered: the objects of worship, sites with pre-historical paintings, with archeological materials, mining sites, and site of settlement. Natural properties are presented by karst and lava caves. Geographical analysis of World Subterranean Heritage sites is carried out. The World Subterranean Heritage map is presented.