World Heritage Sites
UNESCO-designated treasures
World Heritage Sites are places of outstanding cultural or natural significance designated by UNESCO for international protection.
The list includes monuments, buildings, landscapes, and ecosystems considered irreplaceable treasures of humanity: Machu Picchu is a World Heritage Site, The Great Barrier Reef gained World Heritage status in 1981.
Countries nominate sites and commit to their preservation.
Preventing waste or loss
- restorationReturning something to condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
- UNESCOCultural arm of UN
- designationFormal name or title
nomination · criteria · authenticity · integrity · endangered · buffer zone · management · safeguarding
Decayed structural remains
- monumentsStructures commemorating notable achievements
- tombsChambers for the dead
- templesHoly places or head sides
- ancientVery old indeed
civilization · antiquity · archaeology · excavation · relics · inscription · frescoes · mosaics
Protected natural areas
- ecosystemsInterdependent organism-environment systems
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- geologicalOf Earth's physical structure
landscapes · forests · reefs · mountains · wetlands · endemic species · habitats · glaciers
People who come temporarily
- sightseeingVisiting places of interest
- destinationsPlaces one travels to
- guided toursTrips with an expert leader
- itinerariesPlanned travel schedules
travel · excursions · attractions · interpretation · visitor centers · accessibility · overcrowding · sustainable tourism
Long-established customs passed down
- ceremoniesFormal observances with ritual
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
gastronomy · handicrafts · costumes · festivals · dance · music · theater · calligraphy
conservation
Preventing waste or loss
- restorationReturning something to condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
- UNESCOCultural arm of UN
designation · nomination · criteria · authenticity · integrity · endangered · buffer zone · management · safeguarding · monitoring
ruins
Decayed structural remains
- monumentsStructures commemorating notable achievements
- tombsChambers for the dead
- templesHoly places or head sides
ancient · civilization · antiquity · archaeology · excavation · relics · inscription · frescoes · mosaics · sarcophagus
national parks
Protected natural areas
- ecosystemsInterdependent organism-environment systems
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
geological · landscapes · forests · reefs · mountains · wetlands · endemic species · habitats · glaciers · caves
visitors
People who come temporarily
- sightseeingVisiting places of interest
- destinationsPlaces one travels to
- guided toursTrips with an expert leader
itineraries · travel · excursions · attractions · interpretation · visitor centers · accessibility · overcrowding · sustainable tourism · photography
traditions
Long-established customs passed down
- ceremoniesFormal observances with ritual
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
customs · gastronomy · handicrafts · costumes · festivals · dance · music · theater · calligraphy · literature
- Protected Ecosystemsnational parks, wildlife reserves, marine sanctuaries, natural monuments, protected areas
World Heritage Sitestourist traps
Exploitative visitor attractions
strip malls · parking lots · roadside attractions · suburban sprawl · theme parks
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