Type Characteristics and Geographical Distribution of the World Heritage Sites in India

According to the information provided by http://whc.unesco.org and literature mainly about the Indian history and geography, the regional features and spatial distribution of the Indian world heritages were summed up in this article. As of 2013, there have been 24 cultural and 6 natural properties inscribed into WORLD HERITAGE LIST in India, without mixed heritage. The natural properties have the features of integrity and differences in Natural Geography, and most of the cultural heritages have somewhat religious characteristics. The natural properties are mainly located in the North, East and Southwest of the border provinces in the subcontinent; while the cultural heritages are chiefly located in or close to the ruling centers of the more powerful states and foreign forces in history, land and sea transport hubs, and suitable natural environment; and the different types of religious properties show clear regional differentiation from north to south. These characteristics were formed from the Indian relatively independent circumstances, topography, scorching and rainy climate, and the long but extremely uneven development and mainly disrupted history, foreign powers, economy and native cultures in common.