Photos: Meet the Newest World Heritage Sites

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Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea

(Image credit: UNESCO/Paul van Schalkwyk)

Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea

(Image credit: UNESCO/Paul van Schalkwyk)

The Namib Sand Sea covers nearly 11,600 square miles (30,000 square kilometers) in Namibia.

Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea

(Image credit: UNESCO/Paul van Schalkwyk)

The Namib Sand Sea in Namibia is composed of two dune systems: One that is ancient and semi-consolidated, and a younger active one.

Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea

(Image credit: UNESCO/Paul van Schalkwyk)

The Namib Sand Sea in Namibia features gravel plains, coastal flats and rocky hills.

Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea

(Image credit: UNESCO/Paul van Schalkwyk)

The dunes of the Namib Sand Sea in Namibia are formed by the transportation of materials from the hinterland that are carried by winds, rivers and ocean currents

Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea

(Image credit: UNESCO/Paul van Schalkwyk)

Fog is the primary source of water in the Namib Sand Sea in Namibia. The fog accounts for its unique environment for invertebrates, reptiles and mammals.

Mount Kenya Natural Park

Mount Kenya Natural Park

(Image credit: UNESCO/Seven Ripley)

The Mount Kenya-Lewa Wildlife conservancy was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List as an extension to the Mount Kenya Natural Park.

Mount Kenya Natural Park

Mount Kenya Natural Park

(Image credit: UNESCO/Seven Ripley)

The Mount Kenya-Lewa Wildlife conservancy consists of nearly 77 square miles (200 square kilometers) situated between a tropical ecosystem and semi-arid savannah grasslands.

Mount Kenya Natural Park

Mount Kenya Natural Park

(Image credit: UNESCO/Seven Ripley)

Giant lobelias, a type of flowering plant, at the Mount Kenya-Lewa Wildlife conservancy in Kenya.

Mount Kenya Natural Park

Mount Kenya Natural Park

(Image credit: UNESCO/Seven Ripley)

A view from the summit of the Mount Kenya-Lewa Wildlife conservancy.

Denise Chow
Denise Chow
Live Science Contributor

Denise Chow was the assistant managing editor at Live Science before moving to NBC News as a science reporter, where she focuses on general science and climate change. Before joining the Live Science team in 2013, she spent two years as a staff writer for Space.com, writing about rocket launches and covering NASA's final three space shuttle missions. A Canadian transplant, Denise has a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto, and a master's degree in journalism from New York University.