World Heritage Identification Number: 908
World Heritage since: 2000
Category: Natural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇮🇹 Italy
Continent: Europe
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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The Aeolian Islands: A Volcanic Archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea
The Aeolian Islands, officially known as Isole Eolie, are a captivating volcanic archipelago located in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily. Named after Aeolus, the mythical ruler of the winds, these islands have been a subject of fascination for centuries due to their unique geological features and rich history.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Aeolian Islands provide an outstanding record of volcanic island-building and destruction, and ongoing volcanic phenomena. Studied since at least the 18th century, the islands have provided the science of vulcanology with examples of two types of eruption (Vulcanian and Strombolian) and thus have featured prominently in the education of geologists for more than 200 years. The site continues to enrich the field of vulcanology.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (viii): The islands' volcanic landforms represent classic features in the continuing study of volcanology world-wide. With their scientific study from at least the 18th Century, the islands have provided two of the types of eruptions (Vulcanian and Strombolian) to vulcanology and geology textbooks and so have featured prominently in the education of all geoscientists for over 200 years. They continue to provide a rich field for volcanological studies of on-going geological processes in the development of landforms.
Encyclopedia Record: Aeolian Islands
The Aeolian Islands, sometimes referred to as the Lipari Islands or Lipari group after their largest island, are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, said to be named after Aeolus, the mythical ruler of the winds. The islands' inhabitants are known as Aeolians. The islands had a permanent population of 14,224 at the 2011 census; the latest official estimate is 15,419 as of 1 January 2019. The Aeolian Islands are a popular tourist destination in the summer and attract up to 600,000 visitors annually.Additional Site Details
Area: 1,216 hectares
Coordinates: 38.48786111 , 14.94558333
Image
This image was taken by the NASA Expedition 17 crew., Public domain
