cultural landscape

2022

What is the cultural landscape?
Characteristics of the cultural landscape
Elements of the cultural landscape
Examples of cultural landscape
Cultural landscape and natural landscape

We explain what the cultural landscape is, its elements, characteristics and various examples. Also, differences with the natural landscape.

In the Quebrada de Humahuaca, cultural heritage is combined with natural beauty.

What is the cultural landscape?

The cultural landscape is the result of the actions of the human being in a specific natural territory. It comprises a space where the development of man impacts in a tangible way (construction of roads, infrastructure, etc.) and intangible (beliefs, culture, etc.), and gives added value to the region.

The cultural landscape is valuable for its natural wealth and for the cultural development along the history. However, it is not always recognized and appreciated as such, which is why there are many cultural landscapes that have been classified as heritage of humanity for the UNESCO in order to preserve them.

The protection of the world's cultural landscapes (such as woods, moutains, lakes, buildings, cities, etc.), contributes strategies of sustainable land use, maintenance or improvement of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity. Therefore, it is very important that the development of human activity accompany the care of these scenery.

Characteristics of the cultural landscape

In the cultural landscape of Viñales Valley, traditional agricultural techniques are still used.

The cultural landscape harmoniously combines the nature with human action. It is characterized as a kind of legacy that reveals historical and cultural aspects of a territory, accompanied by an irretrievable natural treasure if it is not preserved.

The cultural landscape is important for a region from different aspects: economic (can be used as a tourist attraction), pedagogical (studied from geography, the natural Sciences, the history and the research) and recreational (it is used as a space for leisure and recreation).

In a territory considered cultural landscape, the community usually achieves a very strong sense of belonging that positively impacts daily life (intangible value). This is generated as a consequence of living in an environment where nature and human development advance in synergy (tangible values).

Elements of the cultural landscape

Qhapaq Ñan is the Inca trail that can still be traveled today.

Some elements of the cultural landscape are:

The population. Refers to a set of persons that inhabit a territory called cultural landscape and that tend to be concentrated in an urbanized area. They are the ones who represent the region through their traditions Y tradition.
The infrastructure. It refers to the architectural style typical of a region and that differentiates it from others. It can be an unsophisticated style (so as not to compete with the natural terrain in order to conserve it), such as large cities that take advantage of the geography of the place to develop.
The industrialization. It refers to the transformation of nature by the hand of man, for the purpose of personal benefit. This action leads to a production system that, if not properly regulated, can lead to the deterioration of the cultural landscape.
The communication. It refers to the channels created by humans in order to connect with neighboring populations or even very far away. This is achieved through roads, railways, airports, power lines and wiring, among others.

Examples of cultural landscape

The Nazca Lines make up one of the most mysterious cultural landscapes.

Numerous cultural landscapes around the world are protected and conserved through declarations of world heritage by the UNESCO, among them we can mention:

The landscape of Nazca lines and geoglyphs of Pampas (UNESCO 1994). Located in the arid plain 400 kilometers from Lima, in Peru, the lines and geoglyphs drawn in the I usually between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. They cover an area of 450 square meters. They represent one of the great enigmas of the archeology due to its extension, nature and continuity over time. Some hypothesis argue that they had a ritual function related to the astronomy.
The landscape of Qhapaq Ñan (UNESCO 2014). It is located from the south of Colombia through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. It is an Andean system with extensive roads that, during the time of civilization Inca, functioned as a link between the most important cities and favored the Commerce. Its name means "mighty way" or "way of the Inca".
The landscape of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (UNESCO 2010). Located in the north of Mexico, it comprises a road of about 2,600 kilometers in length. It is a route that connects northern Mexico with Texas, in the United States. During the 16th and 19th centuries, the road was used to transport silver extracted from the Zacatecas, Guanajanto and San Luis Potosí mines. In addition to favoring mining activity, the road made it possible to establish social, cultural and religious ties.
The landscape of the Quebrada de Humahuaca (UNESCO 2003). Located in Jujuy, northern Argentina, it is an extension of the "Inca Trail" and was an important trade route. Its mountainous landscape stands out for the variety of colors on the rocks (such as the renowned "hill of seven colors") and for its rich cultural heritage, which shows the life of the hunters and gatherers of the omahuaca culture and some pre-Columbian and colonial vestiges.
The Colombian coffee landscape (UNESCO 2011). Located in Colombia, it encompasses 6 coffee-growing landscapes and 18 urban centers of the Andes Mountains. The landscape reflects the tradition Centennial of the cultivation of coffee beans, produced in small plots that are adapted to withstand the difficult climatic conditions of the mountain area. In the surrounding areas, urbanized regions present a architecture particular, influenced by the Spanish colonization.
The landscape of the Viñales Valley (UNESCO 1999). Located in Cuba, it consists of a valley surrounded by mountains with an impressive rocky landscape and abundant vegetation. Even today, traditional practices are used for agricultural production, especially tobacco. The landscape stands out for its own architecture of the place for the construction of farms and villages. The town's culture is characterized by being multi-ethnic, as a consequence of Caribbean influences.
The landscape of Rio de Janeiro (UNESCO 2011). Located between the mountains and the sea of Brazil, it consists of a great Rio de Janeiro city that extends from the peaks of the mountains of the Tijuaca National Park to the sea. Among its great historical treasures are the Botanical Gardens created in 1808, the summit of Corcovado and its famous Christ the Redeemer, the hills that surround Guanabara Bay and the vast landscapes of Copacabana Bay.