Cultural
Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari
Photo : Gregor Rom (CC BY-SA 4.0)
This cultural heritage site is located in Benin and comprises a complex of interconnected protected areas spanning the W-Arly-Pendjari ecosystems. The site represents a significant concentration of West African savanna and woodland habitats, characterized by diverse fauna and flora that reflect the region's natural and cultural heritage. The landscape encompasses varied terrain including open grasslands, riverine forests, and rocky outcrops, which have supported human settlement and pastoral traditions for centuries. The complex holds importance for its role in preserving traditional land use practices and the cultural relationships between indigenous communities and their natural environment. The site's designation reflects recognition of its ecological and cultural significance as a continuity of human-nature interactions in the Sahel-Sudan savanna zone. The visual character of the region is defined by expansive plains interrupted by seasonal water courses and distinctive vegetation zones adapted to the semi-arid climate.