Guide to World Heritage Sites

An initiative that began in 1972, as an effort to conserve the world’s natural and cultural treasures, has evolved into the World Heritage Programme. Administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Heritage Fund provides about $4 million dollars a year in conservation aid to countries that have ratified the World Heritage Convention, and made a commitment to the protection of their natural and cultural sites. As of 2010, the World Heritage list includes 890 properties with more properties in consideration.

In order for a property to be accepted as a World Heritage Site, it must meet be of “outstanding universal value” and meet at least one of ten criteria. These criteria are based on cultural and natural value and properties generally fall into those categories. Since 1992, mixed properties that have a significant combination of interaction between people and the natural environment have been given the classification of “cultural landscapes”. Though a few World Heritage Sites continue to be endangered and some have even had to be removed from the list due to their destruction, the ongoing conservation efforts have prolonged the existence of many sites and guaranteed that they will be here for future generations.

World Heritage Sites in Africa

• Algeria - Casbah of Algiers: Built on the foundations of an ancient Phoenician and Carthaginian trading post, the Casbah is a unique and vibrant part of the Muslim city.

• Benin - Royal Palaces of Abomey: The remaining residences of 12 kings were built during the height of the Kingdom of Abomey from 1625 to 1900.

• Botswana - Tsodilo Hills: Called “The Lourve of the Desert”, the Tsodilo Hills has over 4,500 preserved rock paintings. Locals believe it to be a spiritual place.

• Burkina Faso - Ruins of Loropéni: The stone wall ruins of this abandoned fortress is the best preserved of the fortresses that existed in the Lobi area.

• Cameroon - Dja Faunal Reserve: One of the largest rainforests in Africa, it is also the best protected. Over 90% of its area has been left completely undisturbed by man and it is known for its biodiversity.

• Cape Verde - Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande: The historic town of Ribeira Grande was the first European settlement in the tropics. The old town still features some original churches and the ruins of a stone fortress.

• Guinea & Côte D'Ivoire - Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve: Despite supporting a wide range of biodiversity and ecosystems, this Nature Reserve has been on the Danger list since 1992.

• Kenya - Lake Turkana National Parks: The land surrounding this salt water lake is a main breeding ground for many different species. The natural features of this area have also contributed to the understanding of natural history.

• Mali - Timbuktu: The famous intellectual and spiritual center contains three mosques.

• South Africa - Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs: A wealth of the earliest known hominid fossils have been found in this area.

• Sudan - Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region: Tied to the spirituality and folk lore of the local people, the monuments and complexes built at this site provide a rich cultural history.

• Tanzania - Kilimanjaro National Park: Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and the forests surrounding it are inhabited by a wide range of endangered species.

• Tunisia - Archaeological Site of Carthage: Carthage was a trading empire in the Mediterranean and played a large role in the Punic Wars. During Roman occupation, the Romans built their new city on top of the old one.

• Uganda - Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi: Since 1884, these hilltop tombs have been a unique example of architecture with organic materials.

• Zimbabwe - Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls: Considered one of the world’s natural wonders, the mist from these falls can be seen 20km away.

World Heritage Sites in the Americas

• Belize - Barrier Reef Reserve System: The largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere is as threatened as the species that inhabit it.

• Brazil - Iguaçu National Park: The park is the location of the world’s largest waterfall and a home to many endangered species of plants and animals.

• Canada - L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site: The remains of an 11^th century Viking settlement are the oldest known remnants of a European presence in North America.

• Canada - Gros Morne National Park: In addition to a rare example of continental drift, this national park on New Foundland provides breath taking scenery.

• Chile - Rapa Nui National Park: The unique cultural heritage of Easter Island is on display in this national park.

• Columbia - San Agustín Archaeological Park: The largest collection of pre-Columbian stone sculptures in South America includes 500 stone carvings.

• Costa Rica - Area de Conservación Guanacaste: This conservation area hosts a wealth of diverse species and shelters extensive forest and coastal ecosystems.

• Cuba - Old Havana and its Fortifications: The ruins of Havana’s original fortifications can still be seen with the old architecture of the city.

• Ecuador - Galápagos Islands: These islands are a unique, living museum of evolution, but politics and mismanagement have left them endangered.

• Guatemala - Tikal National Park: Forgotten for over 1,000 years, the remains of a Mayan city are still being restored in the heart of the rainforest.

• Mexico - Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve: Each year, the Monarch butterflies of Canada and the USA migrate to this reserve in Mexico to hibernate for the winter.

• Mexico - Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan: This pre-Hispanic cultural and religious center was built between the 1^st and 7^th centuries AD. It’s characterized by the size of its monuments and temples.

• Peru - Machu Picchu: This Incan, holy city lies on the slopes of the Andes in a beautiful setting 2,430 m above sea level.

• Peru - Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana: The Nasca lines are one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries. They cover an area of about 450 km and can only be seen in their entirety by air.

• United States of America - Mesa Verde National Park: There have been 4,400 archaeological sites recorded in this national park, including the well-preserved, ancient cliff dwellings that were built from the 6^th to the 12^th century.

World Heritage Sites in Asia and Australasia

• Australia - The Great Barrier Reef: On the East Coast of Australia is the world’s largest collection of coral reefs.

• Cambodia - Angkor: One of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, Angkor encompasses several temples and different Khmer capitals.

• China - The Great Wall: The largest military structure in the world, this ancient wall of defense stretches for over 8,000 km.

• China - The Potala Palace (Tibet): The former traditional home of the Dalai Lamas of Tibet, the Potala Palace is a unique and impressive architectural structure.

• India - Taj Mahal: This large, white marble mausoleum is considered a jewel of Islamic art.

• India - Elephanta Caves: Located on an island off the coast of Mumbai, the caves of Elephanta contain art and rock carvings based on a cult of Shiva.

• Indonesia - Komodo National Park: This park is the only place in the world where the 5,700 legendary komodo dragons live.

• Iran - Persepolis: The magnificent ruins of this capital city designed by Darius I are a unique and important archaeological site.

• Israel - Masada: During the 1^st century, 960 Jews committed suicide at this natural, desert fortress rather than surrender to the Roman army.

• Japan - Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities): Kyoto was an imperial capital of Japan and its gardens have influenced gardening all over the world.

• Republic of Korea - Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes: This volcanic island has some of the best lava tube systems in the world.

• Mongolia - Uvs Nuur Basin: This enclosed basin has 12 areas that are representative of the biomes of Eastern Eurasia.

• Nepal - Kathmandu Valley: Seven groups of monuments characterize the Valley’s cultural history as the crossroads of Asia.

• New Zealand - Tongariro National Park: The park has both active and extinct volcanoes and is considered a holy place by the Maori.

• Thailand - Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns: Sukhothai was built in the 13^th century as the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam. It has several monuments and is a great example of early Thai architecture.

World Heritage Sites in the Arab States

• Bahrain - Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun: This 16^th century Portuguese fort was built on top of a consistently inhabited site, which created a mound.

• Egypt - Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis: There are still impressive remnants of Thebes, Egypt’s capital city during the Middle and New Periods.

• Egypt - Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur: As the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, Memphis was the location of some incredible monuments like the pyramids and the sphinx.

• Iraq - Samarra Archaeological City: Noted for its Minaret, this once powerful city ruled the area for over a century.

• Jordan - Petra: Once a caravan city, Petra is half-built and half-carved out of the rock face.

• Lebanon - Anjar: The ruins of this 8^th century city show definite city planning.

• Libya - Archaeological Site of Sabratha: Originally a Phoenician trading post, this city was Romanized and rebuilt in the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries AD.

• Mauritania - Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata: These cities were originally built as rest stops for the caravans, but eventually became important cultural and religious centers.

• Morocco - Medina of Fez: Home to the oldest university in the world, the Fez is still considered the country’s spiritual and cultural center.

• Morocco - Archaeological Site of Volubilis: There are still extensive ruins of this Mauritian capital, which was once an important outpost for the Roman Empire.

• Oman - Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn: The ruins of this 3^rd millennium compound are the most complete collection of settlements and graves from that era in the world.

• Saudi Arabia - Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih): Similar to Petra, this carved city is also an example of hydraulic expertise.

• Syria - Ancient City of Damascus: Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East and has over 125 monuments that span different historical periods.

• Tunisia - Amphitheatre of El Jem: This 3^rd century Roman amphitheatre once held 35,000 spectators.

• Yemen - Old Walled City of Shibam: Built in the 16^th century, Shabam’s “skyscrapers” are an impressive display of urban planning.

World Heritage Sites in Europe

• Austria - Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg: From the Middle ages to the 19^th century, Salzburg was built with a gothic architecture that attracted craftsmen from all over Europe.

• Belgium - Historic Centre of Brugge: Closely associated with the school of Flemish Primitive Painting, Brugge has managed to preserve its Gothic architecture and is a wonderful example of a medieval city.

• Czech Republic - Historic Centre of Prague: Most of the notable monuments in this cultural center of Europe were built in the 14^th century.

• Denmark - Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church: The mounds and runic stones are fascinating insights into early Nordic paganism, while the 10^th century church provides information of early Christianisation.

• France - Palace and Park of Versailles: This extravagant royal residence was occupied by the French kings from Louis XIV to Louis XIV.

• Germany - Cologne Cathedral: This awe inspiring cathedral took centuries to complete and is now Germany’s most visited site.

• Greece - Acropolis, Athens: The Acropolis and its monuments are testaments to the spirit of Classical Greece.

• Hungary - Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue: Budapest is a bustling modern city that has kept its history in the form of numerous monuments and historical architecture.

• Italy - Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata: Due to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 70AD, these cities were trapped in time.

• Lithuania - Vilnius Historic Centre: This medieval city has managed to preserve an impressive array of monuments and architectural styles.

• Poland - Cracow's Historic Centre: Once the capital of Poland, this medieval city also served as a cultural center. It has maintained it’s early architecture.

• Portugal - Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores: The 400-year-old fortifications of this island town are a unique example of military architecture.

• Russia - Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow: Since the 13^th century this city center has been tied to historical and political events. St. Basil’s Cathedral, in the center of Red Square, is one of the most beautiful Russian Orthodox Churches in the world.

• Spain - Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain: The 14,000-year-old paintings in these caves are some of the world’s best examples of prehistoric rock art.

• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd: The 13^th century castles and fortifications of Edward I are amazingly well preserved and provide fine examples of military architecture.