the slate landscape of northwest wales
states: [uk]
category: cultural
year: 2021
region: Europe and North America
latitude/longitude: 53.1208333333, -4.1150000000
unesco id: 1633
world heritage site: 1633
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The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the UK, recognized in 2021, is a historic industrial region in Gwynedd shaped by slate quarrying from the 18th to 20th centuries. Featuring dramatic quarries, railways, and workers’ villages, it powered the global roofing slate trade, with sites like Penrhyn and Dinorwig showcasing innovative engineering and rugged beauty. This cultural landscape reflects Wales’ industrial heritage and social history, highlighting the resilience of communities amid a transformed mountainous terrain.