UNESCO sites rich in history and culture

The U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to preserve significant and inspirational places worldwide.

Designated World Heritage sites, they are as diverse as Yellowstone National Park, Shark Bay in Australia and the historic center of Vienna, and they symbolize the world's collective history, culture and landscape.

Reviewing the list of more than 1,200 World Heritage locations provides an impressive history lesson.

Here are five that may interest you and your family.

Kinderdijk windmills, the Netherlands

The Netherlands is famous for windmills. Among the most captivating are those you will find in Kinderdijk, a village in the province of South Holland near the port city of Rotterdam. Built around 1740, these 19 magnificent windmills stand as part of a larger water management system developed to prevent flooding in the low-lying region. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, the windmills form an iconic Dutch image. It is said that "windmills built the Netherlands" because without them, water could not have been drained away from the marshy landscape and farmers could not have grown their crops and the now world-famous tulips.

Arrive by river cruise, bus or car and explore by boat, on walking paths or using bike lanes. During a visit, admire the many waterways, dikes, mills and locks and learn about the local way of life then and now.

MORE INFO viking.com; holland.com

Statue of Liberty, New York City

Calling Lady Liberty "a bridge between art and engineering," UNESCO emphasizes the symbolic value of this gift given to the U.S. by the French in 1886. Since then, Americans and immigrants have revered this symbol of freedom, democracy and peace.

Today, the statue's torch continues to shine on New York's harbor, and tours of the famous figure remain highly popular. Reservations are required to enter the pedestal or climb to the top of the crown, and security is similar to airport access.

Kids can learn why liberty is important to preserve and protect and can earn a Junior Ranger badge.

MORE INFO nps.gov

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years, this remarkable community remains a prime example of American Indian culture, tradition and architecture. UNESCO notes the Pueblo Indians' ability to retain long-held traditions despite pressure from the outside world. More than 1,900 Pueblo Indians live full or part time in adobe homes in the community located in the valley of a small tributary of the Rio Grande. Take a walking tour and learn the pueblo's rich history, view native crafts and witness an enduring and unique way of life.

MORE INFO nps.gov

Carcassonne and Canal Du Midi, Southern France

Step back in time on the cobblestone streets of Carcassonne, a medieval, fortified town on a hilltop in the Languedoc region of France. Children of all ages will be awed by the walled city, the castle and a Gothic cathedral complete with gargoyles. Tour the town, then head for a second World Heritage site just minutes away. From the Port of Carcassonne, embark on a barge tour of the scenic Canal Du Midi. Noted as marvel of civil engineering and landscape design, the waterway was built between 1667 and 1694. Today's travelers enjoy day trips as well as longer cruises on the 150-mile-long canal, which connects the Mediterranean with the Atlantic via locks, bridges, tunnels and aqueducts.

MORE INFO carcassonne.org; france.fr/en/destination

Historic city center, Riga, Latvia

Budding architects and design students will marvel at the art nouveau buildings that moved UNESCO to add this 800-year-old city to its list of heritage sites. A charming capital on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava, Riga offers a mix of old and new, historic and creative. Visit the opera house, Vermanes Park for the kids, St. Peter's Cathedral and the outdoor markets. Riga is often called the "Paris of the North."

It's said the first Christmas tree was introduced here, in 1510.

MORE INFO latvia.travel/en/about-latvia