World Heritage Field Guide

UNESCO World Heritage Sites, explained

A plain-language catalogue of inscribed places — where they are, why they matter, and what makes each one outstanding. 29 sites, each explained in seven short sections.

Ancient & Archaeological Sites 6 sites

Ruined cities, temples and monuments left by past civilizations.

001 Machu Picchu Peru · 1983 · Mixed 002 Petra Jordan · 1985 · Cultural 003 Chichén Itzá Mexico · 1988 · Cultural 016 Angkor Cambodia · 1992 · Cultural 017 Mohenjo-daro Pakistan · 1980 · Cultural 018 Great Zimbabwe Zimbabwe · 1986 · Cultural

Architectural Masterpieces 6 sites

Buildings and complexes recognised for outstanding design and influence.

004 Taj Mahal India · 1983 · Cultural 005 Sydney Opera House Australia · 2007 · Cultural 006 Palace of Versailles France · 1979 · Cultural 019 Alhambra Spain · 1984 · Cultural 020 Works of Antoni Gaudí Spain · 1984 · Cultural 021 Historic Centre of Rome Italy · 1980 · Cultural

Natural Wonders 6 sites

Landscapes and ecosystems inscribed for exceptional natural beauty and scientific value.

007 Great Barrier Reef Australia · 1981 · Natural 008 Grand Canyon United States · 1979 · Natural 009 Galápagos Islands Ecuador · 1978 · Natural 022 Yellowstone United States · 1978 · Natural 023 Iguazu Falls Argentina · 1984 · Natural 024 Ha Long Bay Vietnam · 1994 · Natural

Sacred & Religious Sites 6 sites

Places of worship and pilgrimage preserved as living cultural heritage.

010 Vatican City Holy See · 1984 · Cultural 011 Borobudur Indonesia · 1991 · Cultural 012 Lalibela Ethiopia · 1978 · Cultural 025 Bagan Myanmar · 2019 · Cultural 026 Temple of Heaven China · 1998 · Cultural 027 Mount Athos Greece · 1988 · Mixed

Fortresses & Historic Centers 5 sites

Fortified works and old towns that shaped the course of history.

013 Great Wall of China China · 1987 · Cultural 014 Acropolis of Athens Greece · 1987 · Cultural 015 Historic Cairo Egypt · 1979 · Cultural 028 Old Havana Cuba · 1982 · Cultural 029 Carcassonne France · 1997 · Cultural