Languages and Endangered Languages along the Silk Roads

© UNESCO

Throughout history, thousands of languages have been spoken along the lengths of the Silk Roads, both land and maritime. These languages have been one of the major means of transmission of knowledge, beliefs, traditions and customs between peoples alongside the historic Silk Roads and into societies and communities far beyond. However, despite their historic vibrancy, not all of these languages have survived until today: some continue to be spoken whilst others are endangered or have become extinct. Those that are endangered or extinct have been recorded on the UNESCO list of World Languages in Danger.

Learn more about the languages in the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.

The Silk Roads Online Platform provides information about the languages of the historic Silk Roads.

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World Natural Heritage, Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks alongside the Silk Roads

Title Sort descending Type Country
Bundala Biosphere reserves Sri Lanka
Mae Sa-Kog Ma Biosphere reserves Thailand
Touran Biosphere reserves Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Al-Reem Biosphere reserves Qatar
Arasbaran Biosphere reserves Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Aya Biosphere reserves Japan
Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere reserves Mongolia
Bogeda Biosphere reserves China
Bura'a Biosphere reserves Yemen
Camili Biosphere reserves Türkiye
Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere reserves Viet Nam
Cat Ba Biosphere reserves Viet Nam
Changbaishan Biosphere reserves China
Chitwan National Park World Natural Heritage Nepal
Cibodas Biosphere reserves Indonesia
Cilento and Vallo Di Diano Biosphere reserves Italy
Circeo Biosphere reserves Italy
Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands World Natural Heritage Georgia
Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere reserves Viet Nam
Dana Biosphere reserves Jordan

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Silk Roads Programme

silkroads@unesco.org

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