France's slag heaps join Pyramids on list of UNESCO world treasures

The slag heaps of France's northern mining region have become the latest, unlikely addition to Unesco's world heritage list, rivalling global wonders like the Taj Mahal, the Great Barrier Reef and the Pyramids.

Local politicians hailed the inclusion of the Nord-Pas de Calais mining basin on the coveted list as a victory for the depressed region still struggling to recover from the demise of its three centuries-old coal industry.

They hope the new title will turn the region's slag heaps, but also its mining pits, railway stations, workers estates and mining villages into tourist attractions that will boost the local economy....