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
Mujib Biosphere reserves Jordan
Nanda Devi Biosphere reserves India
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks World Natural Heritage India
Nilgiri Biosphere reserves India
Niubeiliang Biosphere reserves China
Omayed Biosphere reserves Egypt
Palawan Biosphere reserves Philippines
Puerto Galera Biosphere reserves Philippines
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park World Natural Heritage Philippines
Ranong Biosphere reserves Thailand
Red River Delta Biosphere reserves Viet Nam
Repetek Biosphere reserves Turkmenistan
Sary-Chelek Biosphere reserves Kyrgyzstan
Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan World Natural Heritage Kazakhstan
Selva Pisana Biosphere reserves Italy
Shouf Biosphere reserves Lebanon
Sinharaja Biosphere reserves Sri Lanka
Sinharaja Forest Reserve World Natural Heritage Sri Lanka
Socotra Archipelago World Natural Heritage Yemen
Sunderban Biosphere reserves India

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Silk Roads Programme

silkroads@unesco.org

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