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World Heritage Sites: Landmarks of Outstanding Value to Humanity

• World Heritage Sites are landmarks or areas with legal protection by UNESCO
• Sites are designated for having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance
• Sites must be unique, identifiable and have special cultural or physical significance
• 1,157 World Heritage Sites exist across 167 countries, with Italy having the most at 58
• Sites are intended for practical conservation, protected by UNESCO as protected zones
• The World Heritage Sites list is maintained by the international World Heritage Program administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
• The program began with the "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage" in 1972
• By assigning places as World Heritage Sites, UNESCO wants to help pass them on to future generations
• Being listed as a World Heritage Site can positively affect the site, its environment and interactions between them
• A country must first identify its significant cultural and natural sites in a document known as the Tentative List
• A site may be added to the List of World Heritage in Danger if conditions threaten the characteristics for which the landmark or area was inscribed
• The UNESCO-administered project has attracted criticism due to under-representation of heritage sites outside Europe, disputed decisions on site selection, and adverse impact of mass tourism on sites
• As of January 2023, Italy has the most World Heritage Sites at 58, followed by China with 56 and Germany with 51