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Select World Heritage sites
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News •
What the Israel-Hezbollah war did to Lebanon’s cultural heritage sites
• Dec. 23, 2024, 4:02 AM ET (NPR)
Gold Mining Operation Spreads into Protected Area of Congo
• Dec. 20, 2024, 4:36 AM ET (Voice of America English News)
First car reached Barrington Tops a century ago. Today, it's a popular tourist destination
• Dec. 14, 2024, 1:22 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))
Takeaways from AP's report on Chinese gold mining threatening endangered protected site in Congo
• Dec. 9, 2024, 10:06 PM ET (AP)
South Korea holds memorial for forced laborers in Japan after boycotting Japanese event
• Nov. 26, 2024, 12:00 AM ET (AP)
A list of select World Heritage sites is provided in the tables. See also list of World Heritage sites.
| site* | country | notes |
|---|---|---|
| *The spelling or styling of place-names in this table may differ from those given on the World Heritage List; in addition, some place-names represent one or more constituent parts of larger World Heritage sites. | ||
| Arequipa | Peru | colonial architecture |
| Brasília | Brazil | urban planning and architecture |
| Cartagena | Colombia | colonial port, fortresses, and monuments |
| Chan Chan | Peru | ruins of pre-Inca Chimú capital |
| Colonia del Sacramento | Uruguay | Portuguese and Spanish colonial architecture |
| Córdoba | Argentina | Jesuit institutions and estates |
| Coro | Venezuela | Spanish, Dutch, and local architecture |
| Cuzco | Peru | Inca and colonial architecture |
| Darién | Panama | national park, rainforests, and wetlands |
| Easter Island | Chile | monumental sculptures |
| Galapagos Islands | Ecuador | national park, unique ecosystem |
| Huascarán, Mount | Peru | montane national park |
| Iguaçu (Iguazú) | Brazil and Argentina | national parks, waterfalls, and subtropical rainforests |
| Lima | Peru | historic city centre |
| Los Glaciares | Argentina | national park, glacial lakes, and mountains |
| Los Katíos | Colombia | national park, rainforests, and wetlands |
| Machu Picchu | Peru | Inca ruins |
| Nazca Lines | Peru | extensive geoglyphs |
| Pantanal | Brazil | freshwater wetland ecosystem |
| Potosí | Bolivia | colonial industrial city |
| Quito | Ecuador | colonial city centre |
| Salvador | Brazil | historic colonial centre |
| Tiwanaku | Bolivia | pre-Columbian ruins |
| Valdés Peninsula | Argentina | seals, whales |
| site* | country | notes |
|---|---|---|
| *The spelling or styling of place-names in this table may differ from those given on the World Heritage List; in addition, some place-names represent one or more constituent parts of larger World Heritage sites. | ||
| Banff | Canada | national park, Rocky Mountains |
| Belize Barrier Reef | Belize | marine ecosystem |
| Carlsbad Caverns | United States | national park, Guadalupe Mountains |
| Chaco Culture | United States | national historical park, Pueblo ruins |
| Chichén Itzá | Mexico | Mayan-Toltec architecture |
| Cocos Island | Costa Rica | national park, forest and marine life |
| Copán | Honduras | remains of major Mayan city |
| Dinosaur | Canada | provincial park, fossil beds |
| Everglades | United States | national park, diversity of aquatic habitats |
| Glacier Bay | United States | subarctic national park, preserve |
| Grand Canyon | United States | national park |
| Great Smoky Mountains | United States | national park, Appalachian Mountains |
| Havana | Cuba | colonial city centre |
| Hawaii Volcanoes | United States | national park |
| Jasper | Canada | national park, Rocky Mountains |
| Kluane | Canada | subarctic national park |
| Kootenay | Canada | national park, Rocky Mountains |
| L'Anse aux Meadows | Canada | remains of medieval Norse settlement in Newfoundland |
| Mammoth Cave | United States | cave system and national park |
| Mesa Verde | United States | prehistoric cliff dwellings |
| Mexico City | Mexico | historic city centre |
| Monticello | United States | Neoclassical home of Thomas Jefferson |
| Palenque | Mexico | national park, Mayan city |
| Panama City | Panama | historic city centre |
| Redwood | United States | national park, ancient trees |
| San Juan | Puerto Rico | national historic site, fortifications |
| Santo Domingo | Dominican Republic | colonial city |
| Statue of Liberty | United States | national monument |
| Taos Pueblo | United States | adobe settlement |
| Tatshenshini-Alsek | Canada | wilderness provincial park |
| Teotihuacán | Mexico | extensive pre-Aztec ruins |
| Tikal | Guatemala | national park, Mayan ruins |
| Uxmal | Mexico | Mayan city and ceremonial centre |
| Wrangell-St. Elias | United States | subarctic national park, preserve |
| Xochimilco | Mexico | Aztec canals and floating gardens |
| Yellowstone | United States | national park, geothermal formations |
| Yoho | Canada | national park, Rocky Mountains |
| Yosemite | United States | national park, Sierra Nevada range |
| site* | country | notes |
|---|---|---|
| *The spelling or styling of place-names in this table may differ from those given on the World Heritage List; in addition, some place-names represent one or more constituent parts of larger World Heritage sites. | ||
| Acropolis of Athens | Greece | complex of monuments |
| Alhambra | Spain | Moorish palace and fortress |
| Altamira | Spain | prehistoric cave paintings |
| Amiens Cathedral | France | Gothic style |
| Arles | France | Roman, Romanesque monuments |
| Auschwitz | Poland | Nazi concentration camp |
| Avebury | England | prehistoric megalith group |
| Bergen | Norway | Hanseatic wharf |
| Bern | Switzerland | medieval city centre |
| Canterbury | England | cathedral and abbey |
| Chartres Cathedral | France | Gothic architecture |
| Cologne Cathedral | Germany | Gothic architecture |
| Delphi | Greece | remains of sanctuary complex |
| Derbent | Russia | ancient city, fortifications |
| Eyzies-de-Tayac caves | France | prehistoric rock dwellings, decorated grottoes |
| Ferrara | Italy | Renaissance architecture |
| Florence | Italy | historic city centre |
| Fontainebleau | France | royal château and gardens |
| Giant's Causeway | Northern Ireland | coastal rock formations |
| Granada | Spain | Moorish, Andalusian structures |
| Hadrian's Villa | Italy | imperial residence |
| Hadrian's Wall | England | Roman fortification |
| Herculaneum | Italy | ruins of Vesuvius-destroyed town |
| Istanbul | Turkey | numerous historic sites |
| Kew Gardens | England | botanical gardens |
| Kraków | Poland | medieval city centre |
| Kremlin | Russia | historical, political, and religious centre |
| Lascaux | France | prehistoric cave paintings |
| Lübeck | Germany | Hanseatic architecture |
| Luxembourg city | Luxembourg | fortifications and old city |
| Metéora | Greece | Orthodox Christian monasteries |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | France | medieval village and abbey |
| Naples | Italy | historic city centre |
| Olympia | Greece | ruins of ancient sacred city |
| Palatine Chapel (Aachen Cathedral) | Germany | imperial chapel of Charlemagne, Carolingian and Gothic styles |
| Paris | France | banks of Seine River, adjacent monuments |
| Pompeii | Italy | ruins of Vesuvius-destroyed town |
| Porto | Portugal | historic city centre |
| Prague | Czech Republic | historic city centre |
| Red Square | Russia | historical, political, and religious centre |
| Reims Cathedral | France | High Gothic architecture |
| Rhodes | Greece | medieval city centre |
| Rila Monastery | Bulgaria | cradle of Bulgarian national revival |
| Saint Petersburg | Russia | historic city centre and monuments |
| Salzburg | Austria | historic city centre |
| Samos | Greece | ancient port and temple remains |
| Santiago | Spain | old city and pilgrimage route |
| Segovia | Spain | old town and Roman aqueduct |
| Speyer Cathedral | Germany | burial site of German emperors, Romanesque architecture |
| Split | Croatia | ruins of the Palace of Diocletian, other monuments |
| Stabiae | Italy | ancient town |
| Stonehenge | England | prehistoric megalith group |
| Tallinn | Estonia | historic city centre |
| Toledo | Spain | historic structures |
| Torre Annunziata | Italy | ruins of Vesuvius-destroyed town |
| Transylvania | Romania | Saxon fortified churches, villages |
| Úbeda | Spain | Renaissance architecture |
| Vatican City | Vatican City | seat of Roman Catholic Church |
| Venice | Italy | island city and surrounding lagoon |
| Versailles | France | royal palace and park |
| Vienna | Austria | historic and cultural centre |
| Vilnius | Lithuania | historic centre |
| Visby | Sweden | historic Hanseatic town |
| Wartburg | Germany | castle |
| Westminster Abbey | England | Neo-Gothic palace, historic abbey |
| site* | country | notes |
|---|---|---|
| *The spelling or styling of place-names in this table may differ from those given on the World Heritage List; in addition, some place-names represent one or more constituent parts of larger World Heritage sites. | ||
| Fraser Island | Australia | rainforest, dune lakes |
| Great Barrier Reef | Australia | marine national park |
| Lord Howe Island | Australia | diversity of habitats, rare wildlife |
| Macquarie Island | Australia | unique geological landforms |
| Rennell Island | Solomon Islands | unique island ecosystem |
| Shark Bay | Australia | rare marine and terrestrial life-forms |
| Tasmanian Wilderness | Australia | diversity of habitats, rare wildlife |
| Te Wahipounamu (South West New Zealand) | New Zealand | Fiordland, Mount Aspiring, Mount Cook, and Westland national parks |
| Uluru (Ayers Rock) | Australia | national park, sandstone monolith |
| site* | country | notes |
|---|---|---|
| *The spelling or styling of place-names in this table may differ from those given on the World Heritage List; in addition, some place-names represent one or more constituent parts of larger World Heritage sites. | ||
| Agra | India | historic fort |
| Ajanta Caves | India | rock-cut Buddhist monasteries |
| Aleppo | Syria | ancient city |
| Angkor | Cambodia | archaeological remains |
| Anuradhapura | Sri Lanka | sacred city |
| Ashur | Iraq | historic city |
| Ayutthaya | Thailand | ruins of capital complex |
| Baalbek | Lebanon | ruins of Roman city |
| Bagerhat | Bangladesh | historic city, mosque |
| Baikal, Lake | Russia | unique freshwater environment |
| Baku | Azerbaijan | walled city, tower, and palace |
| Bamian | Afghanistan | archaeological remains |
| Bodh Gaya | India | ancient Buddhist temple |
| Borobudur | Indonesia | Buddhist temple compound |
| Bukhara | Uzbekistan | historic city |
| Byblos | Lebanon | ruins of ancient city |
| Chogha Zanbil | Iran | ruins of Elamite city |
| Damascus | Syria | historic city centre |
| Delhi | India | historic monuments and tomb |
| Elephanta Island | India | Hindu cave temple |
| Ellora Caves | India | Hindu, Buddhist, and Jaina cave temples |
| Esfahan | Iran | historic square |
| Everest, Mount | Nepal | montane national park |
| Fatehpur Sikri | India | ancient monuments and temples |
| Forbidden City | China | imperial palace in Beijing |
| Great Wall of China | China | extensive fortification |
| Ha Long Bay | Vietnam | picturesque island group |
| Hatra | Iraq | ruins of Parthian city |
| Hiroshima | Japan | peace memorial |
| Horyu Temple | Japan | Buddhist monuments |
| Huang, Mount | China | scenic conservation area |
| Hue | Vietnam | imperial citadel |
| Jerusalem | Israel | Jewish, Christian, and Islamic holy city |
| Kandy | Sri Lanka | sacred Buddhist city |
| Kaziranga | India | national park, wildlife |
| Khajraho | India | ancient temples |
| Khiva | Uzbekistan | Islamic architecture |
| Kyoto | Japan | historic imperial capital |
| Lahore | Pakistan | Mughal fortress, palace, and gardens |
| Louangphrabang | Laos | blending of traditional and European architecture |
| Lu Mountains | China | scenic conservation area, temple complex |
| Lumbini | Nepal | birthplace of the Buddha |
| Manas | India | wildlife sanctuary |
| Nara | Japan | historic monuments |
| Nikko | Japan | shrines and temples |
| Palmyra | Syria | ruins of ancient city |
| Petra | Jordan | remains of ancient city |
| Potala Palace | China | former residence of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet |
| Prambanan | Indonesia | ancient temples |
| Qin tomb | China | archaeological site, terra-cotta army |
| Samarkand | Uzbekistan | historic city, Islamic architecture |
| Sanaa | Yemen | historic architecture |
| Sanchi | India | ancient Buddhist sanctuary |
| Somapura Mahavira | Bangladesh | Buddhist monastery |
| Sundarbans | Bangladesh and India | national park (India), sanctuary, mangrove forest, and wetlands |
| Tai, Mount | China | sacred mountain, temple complex |
| Taj Mahal | India | monumental funerary complex |
| Tyre | Lebanon | ruins of three millennia of habitation |
| Ujung Kulon | Indonesia | national park and nature reserve on Java |
| Wuyi Mountains | China | scenic conservation area |
| Zabid | Yemen | historic town |
| Zhoukoudian | China | early hominin habitation |
| site* | country | notes |
|---|---|---|
| *The spelling or styling of place-names in this table may differ from those given on the World Heritage List; in addition, some place-names represent one or more constituent parts of larger World Heritage sites. | ||
| Abomey | Benin | royal palace |
| Abu Ruwaysh | Egypt | archaeological remains |
| Abu Simbel | Egypt | archaeological remains |
| Abu Sir | Egypt | archaeological remains |
| Aksum | Ethiopia | historic monuments |
| Aldabra Islands | Seychelles | atoll, giant tortoises |
| Carthage | Tunisia | remains of ancient city |
| Dahshur | Egypt | pyramids and funerary complex |
| Djenné | Mali | mosque, historic buildings |
| Garamba | Congo (Kinshasa) | national park, wildlife refuge |
| Giza | Egypt | pyramids and funerary complex |
| Gorée Island | Senegal | slave-trading depot |
| Great Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe | ruins of Shona capital |
| Hadar | Ethiopia | early hominin remains |
| Karnak | Egypt | Theban temple ruins |
| Kenya, Mount | Kenya | national park and forest reserve |
| Kilimanjaro | Tanzania | montane national park and forest reserve |
| Kings, Valley of the | Egypt | Theban necropolis |
| Komoé | Côte d'Ivoire | national park, plants and wildlife |
| Lalibela | Ethiopia | rock-hewn medieval churches |
| Leptis Magna | Libya | remains of Roman architecture |
| Luxor | Egypt | Theban ruins |
| Marrakech | Morocco | historic medina |
| Matopo | Zimbabwe | granite hills |
| Memphis | Egypt | remains of ancient city |
| Mozambique, Island of | Mozambique | architecture, including fortifications |
| Ngorongoro | Tanzania | wildlife conservation area |
| Olduvai Gorge | Tanzania | early hominin remains |
| Philae | Egypt | Nubian monuments |
| Queens, Valley of the | Egypt | Theban necropolis |
| Robben Island | South Africa | apartheid-era prison |
| Salonga | Congo (Kinshasa) | national park, tropical rainforest reserve |
| Saqqarah | Egypt | step pyramid and funerary complex |
| Serengeti | Tanzania | national park, wildlife refuge |
| Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, and Kromdraai | South Africa | early hominin remains |
| Thebes | Egypt | ruins of ancient Egyptian capital |
| Timbuktu | Mali | medieval centre of Islamic culture |
| Victoria Falls | Zambia and Zimbabwe | national parks, cataracts, Zambezi River, rainforest, and wildlife |
| Virunga | Congo (Kinshasa) | national park, diversity of habitats |