In a new twist, about a fifth of the works are being unveiled in places like Kabul, Afghanistan, and Banff, Canada, said artistic director Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev.

WSJ: What's On at Documenta, From William Kentridge to Shinro Ohtake

Canada followed in 1885, founding its first national park in the Rocky Mountains, now Banff National Park.

BBC: Birth and spread of the world��s national parks