Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia: Historical State:

The site has been minimally altered over the past 200 years due to its great preservation status. The area contains remnants of the Gondwanan forest that covered Australia and part of Antarctica 50-100 million years ago. Many of the original plant species remain and are endemic to this area. The relics of the forest have given scientists insight to the process of evolution. Aboriginal occupation of this area dates back from 40,000-50,000 years. To this day there are 18 tribes who occupy the area. An estimated 80% of the original cover before the European settlement is still present. In 1988 the area was named a World Heritage Site, meaning that the area is culturally and naturally protected on a global scale.