Decision : 29 COM 8B.35
Nominations of Cultural Properties to the World Heritage List (the Struve Geodetic Arc )
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-05/29.COM/8B, WHC-05/29.COM/8B.Add 2 and WHC-05/29.COM/INF.8B.1,
2. Inscribes (Belarus / Estonia / Finland / Latvia / Lithuania / Norway / Republic of Moldova / Russian Federation / Sweden / Ukraine) on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii), (iv) and (vi):
Criterion (ii): The first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian, helping in the establishment of the exact size and shape of the world exhibits an important step in the development of earth sciences. It is also an extraordinary example for interchange of human values in the form of scientific collaboration among scientists from different countries. It is at the same time an example for collaboration between monarchs of different powers, for a scientific cause.
Criterion (iv): The Struve Geodetic Arc is undoubtedly an outstanding example of technological ensemble - presenting the triangulation points of the measuring of the meridian, being the non movable and non tangible part of the measuring technology.
Criterion (vi): The measuring of the arc and its results are directly associated with men wondering about his world, its shape and size. It is linked with Sir Isaac Newton's theory that the world is not an exact sphere.
3. Encourages the States Parties of Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Republic of Moldova , the Russian Federation, Sweden and Ukraine to work on a possible extension of the nomination, to include the properties relating to triangulation points in South Africa.
Original Decision Document