St Kilda, United Kingdom

This site is located in the Atlantic west of the British Isles of Hebrides. The core protection area covers 242.01 km². St. Kilda is a group of spectacular volcanic islands, including the islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray. The island group is known for the most rugged cliffs in Europe and therefore provides an ideal habitat for a large group of rare and endangered birds, especially puffins and gannets. The island group has had no human settlements since 1930, and there is evidence of human survival in the extremely harsh environments of the Hebrides region for more than 2,000 years. Traces of human activities include architectural structures, arable land and traditional Scottish Highland stone houses. These remains demonstrate the fragile character of the surviving economy that developed based on bird hunting, agriculture, and shepherding.