Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands became a UNESCO World Heritage Site from Friday, July 26, 2024.
Located in the South Pacific Ocean, within a remote area of The Islands of Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands form a volcanic archipelago renowned for its rich history and remarkable biodiversity. They are home to archaeological sites and living cultural traditions (wood carving, dance, and music) that bear witness to the heritage of the Marquesan peoples. The United Nations agency considers them a legacy “whose universal value lies in its cultural as well as its natural riches”.
Tahiti Tourisme CEO Jean-Marc Mocellin highlighted how the UNESCO inscription “is a unique opportunity to showcase the exceptional cultural and environmental heritage of the Marquesas Archipelago internationally and will reinforce the positioning of The Islands of Tahiti as an inclusive and sustainable tourism destination”.
The archipelago was occupied by human civilisation from arrival by sea around the year 1000 CE and developed on these isolated islands between the 10th and the 19th centuries. Archaeological sites showcase monumental dry-stone structures to lithic sculptures and engravings.
Marked by sharp ridges, impressive peaks and cliffs that rise abruptly above the ocean, the landscapes of the archipelago are unparalleled in these tropical latitudes.
These islands are also a hotspot of biodiversity that are unique and well conserved. Being virtually free from human exploitation, Marquesan waters are among the world’s last marine wilderness areas. Home to rare and diverse flora and marine species, the archipelago also has some of the largest varieties of seabirds in the South Pacific.