World Heritage
World Heritage is the official UNESCO publication from the World Heritage Centre. Featuring in-depth articles on cultural and natural World Heritage sites. The quarterly review is produced in English, French and Spanish.
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October 2015
Climate Change
The network of World Heritage properties was inter alia intended to ensure the proper preservation of the natural and cultural values of sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. Today, as the planet finds itself confronted with the impact of climate ...
June 2015
World Heritage in Germany
The annual session of the World Heritage Committee is a crucial period for the Convention, and we are grateful to Germany for hosting us this year. The 39th session of the Committee is taking place as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, marking ...
June 2015
Special Issue on Iraq
Cultural World Heritage sites are representative of the creativity and genius of humanity. While World Heritage belongs to everyone, and we share the responsibility to protect it, each site embodies the history, values, beliefs and skills of the people ...
April 2015
Culture - Nature Links
This special issue of World Heritage is about interlinkages between nature and culture. One of the defining characteristics of the World Heritage Convention is that the governance of both natural and cultural values of Outstanding Universal Value falls ...
January 2015
World Heritage: Fostering resilience
Table of contents In focus Fostering resilience: Towards reducing disaster risks to World Heritage, p. 4World Heritage sites are exposed to a wide variety of natural and human-induced hazards, such as earthquakes, cyclones or fires, which can have ...
November 2014
World Heritage and our protected planet
The IUCN World Parks Congress meets every ten years, and its November 2014 meeting may prove to be a turning point for protected areas in offering and implementing solutions for the challenges faced by the planet. Taken together, the national parks, ...
June 2014
Special Issue - World Heritage in Qatar
Each year, the special issue of World Heritage coinciding with the annual World Heritage Committee session gives us the opportunity to focus on the heritage of a particular country or region. This year the 38th session of the Committee is hosted by the ...
April 2014
World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism
The World Heritage Convention arose from the need to identify and protect outstanding natural and cultural sites for future generations. Over time, the effectiveness of the Convention has led to an increasing number of sites inscribed on the World ...
December 2013
Synergies to Protect Sites
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed that the conservation of biodiversity was one of the cornerstones of sustainable development. They acknowledged that the world was facing an unprecedented wave of species extinction and the ...
October 2013
World Heritage agricultural landscapes
Agricultural landscapes are a testimony to humanity’s long interaction with the land, often unique examples of people and nature coexisting and influencing each other. They demonstrate a rich cultural and landscape diversity, sustainable land-use systems ...
June 2013
World Heritage in Cambodia
The 37th session of the World Heritage Committee will be held from 16 to 27 June 2013 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This issue explores in the depth the sites of Angkor, one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia, and the Temple of ...
April 2013
World Heritage and Best Practices
Table of Contents In Focus World Heritage: cooperation, communication and capacity buildingThe inscription of a site can result in specific preservation challenges, making skilled and sustainable management practices crucial to protect its Outstanding ...
February 2013
Small Island Developing States
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are islands of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The UNESCO World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States coordinates and develops activities in these areas, providing ...
October 2012
Sustainable Development
The issues of World Heritage published during 2012 have largely been devoted to commemorating the adoption of the World Heritage Convention forty years ago, in 1972. This has not been a self-congratulatory exercise but rather an analytical survey, which ...
June 2012
World Heritage in the Russian Federation
We are happy to publish this special issue dedicated to the World Heritage sites of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, which the Committee will be celebrating at its meeting in Saint Petersburg ...
May 2012
World Heritage and outstanding natural beauty
Table of contents Scenic natural beauty How can it be judged? The sites inscribed under criterion vii, known commonly as having the “wow” effect, are more than just stunning landscapes, and we take a close look at their unique qualities and ...
February 2012
World Heritage and Indigenous Peoples
This edition of World Heritage is devoted to the enduring relationship between a number of World Heritage sites and the indigenous peoples that inhabit them. For historical, cultural and practical reasons this is a complex and sensitive matter, but the ...
October 2011
World Heritage Forests
Forests, like mountains and oceans, play a critical role in the balance of world climate (as well as in vital carbon capture and retention) and thus in the survival of our species, hence the United Nations’ decision to designate 2011 as the International ...
June 2011
World Heritage in the Gulf Region
This special issue is devoted entirely to World Heritage sites belonging to members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. It thus offers a unique opportunity to discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of a region that ...
March 2011
Living with Water
Water: its role in human evolution. World Heritage sites offer a wide spectrum of water elements, from glorious water gardens to spectacular aqueducts, grand transport canals to ingenious water mills. This display of human creativity and ingenuity ...
November 2010
Part threat, part hope The challenge of tourism
What are the benefits of World Heritage List inscription? When it brings higher visibility and increased tourism to a site, how can the site still be protected? Issue 58 of our quarterly magazine explores these questions with a lead article by Jonathan ...
July 2010
World Heritage in Brazil
Initially protected by the broadest expanses of virtually impenetrable tropical rainforest on Earth, Brazil still takes prides in a stunning variety of species found nowhere else. With giant snakes such as the anaconda, minuscule hummingbirds, iridescent ...
June 2010
World Heritage Review n°56 Biodiversity
There was a time when the world appeared boundless and inexhaustible. We are just beginning to realize that it is both limited and surprisingly vulnerable. It follows that if we are to survive at all as a species, we shall have to learn to see the world ...
March 2010
World Heritage Cities
Table of Contents In Focus Revising the approach to urban conservation The capacity of historic cities to accommodate and benefit from the radical and rapid changes that accompany urban growth while maintaining heritage values is becoming a critical ...
October 2009
Astronomy and World Heritage
Table of Contents Astronomy and World Heritage Astronomical heritage, or cultural heritage relating to the sky, recognizes the relationships between humanity and the cosmos. From the Maya to the Inca and beyond These ancient cultures confronted their ...
June 2009
World Heritage in Spain
Spain, with its long, complex history and the global character of its territorial and cultural extension, remains marked by a striking diversity of historical influences and regional differences, and it justifiably prides itself on the forty Spanish sites ...
May 2009
Earth heritage : A common past… and future
This issue of World Heritage is devoted to a number of truly extraordinary World Heritage sites that allow a better understanding of the history of the Earth and the formation of landscape. It is no surprise that UNESCO has acknowledged this diversity as ...
December 2008
World Heritage n°51
The greater part of this issue is devoted to the reinstallation of the great stele of Aksum in Ethiopia, an exploit that ranks alongside such major UNESCO achievements as the safeguarding and restoration of the temples of Abu Simbel and Borobudur. The ...
June 2008
Special Issue: Canadian World Heritage
The 14 World Heritage sites of Canada presented in this issue offer a fascinating pattern. Indeed, they reflect key aspects of the evolution of the very concept of World Heritage over the past 32 years. The sites predictably include historic cities like ...
April 2008
World Heritage and Biodiversity
A number of World Heritage routes have played a significant part in the history of the five continents – and the way we focus on them in this issue illustrates how far our thinking has evolved in the thirty-five years since the World Heritage ...
January 2008
Earthen Architecture
At some time during the past one hundred years or so, the great, multimillennial tradition of earthen architecture, which even today is a dominant technique in every world civilization, fell victim to the Modern Ideal. Being ‘modern’, some ...
October 2007
World Heritage n°47
In Focus New World Heritage sites 2007 Twenty-two sites were added to the World Heritage List during the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee held in Christchurch, New Zealand, bringing the total of inscribed sites to 851 (p.4) ...
June 2007
World Heritage n°46 Special issue: World Heritage in New Zealand
Special issue on World Heritage sites in New Zealand, at the occasion of the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee held from 23 June to 2 July in Christchurch, New ...
March 2007
World Heritage n°45
In Focus Exploring the Spice Route The Spice Route linked the Mediterranean basin to the Far East for over 2,500 years. (p.6) Trade Routes of the Desert A journey across the desert trails of the empires of antiquity. (p.22) The ...
November 2006
World Heritage Review n°44
This quarterly magazine in English, French and Spanish features in-depth articles on World Heritage sites around the world and superb photographs, as well as the latest news in preservation. Table of Contents In Focus New World Heritage ...
July 2006
Special issue: World Heritage in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Special issue on World Heritage sites in the Baltic region, at the occasion of the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee held from July 8-16 in Vilnius, ...
June 2006
Climate change
Discover the new look of World Heritage, our quarterly magazine in English, French and Spanish featuring in-depth articles on World Heritage sites around the world and superb photographs, as well as the latest news in preservation. In Focus: World ...
October 2005
World Heritage Review n°41
New World Heritage Sites CITY OF BATH, A Masterpiece of Town Planning THE KII MOUNTAINS, Harmony between Spirit and Nature LEPTIS MAGNA, Imperial City in Africa PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK, A Geological Wonder
July 2005
Special Issue - South Africa
Special Issue - South Africa Message from Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park, Protecting 'the Roof of Africa' World Heritage on the African Continent. A brief overview Mapungubwe National ...
March 2005
World Heritage Review n°39
The Silk Road: the longest trade route in human history Central Sikhote-Alin: a natural site in the Russian Federation and a refuge for many endangered species The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga: an important centre of worship and pilgrimage in ...
December 2004
World Heritage Review n°38
Dubrovnick Restored Spectacular Yosemite Valparaiso, a Window on the Pacific The Frankincense Trail
September 2004
World Heritage Review n°37
Saving natural sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo World Heritage Focus: partnerships for conservation The outstanding architecture of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Kazakhstan The Guanacaste Conservation Area in Costa ...
June 2004
World Heritage Review n°36
Special issue China Imperial Sites and Gardens Natural Wonders Mastery of Water Footprints of Faith Discovering Ancient Cities
April 2004
World Heritage Review n°35
Quebrada de Humahuaca. A Link through the Andes Vineyards. How Wine-growing Shaped the Landscape Djenné. Sumptuous Earthen Architecture Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland Persepolis. Capital of an Empire
January 2004
World Heritage Review n°34
Protecting The Amazon Úbeda and Baeza, Renaissance Towns Ancient Ksour of Mauritania Kew Gardens, Treasure House of Botany My Son, Destruction and Rebirth
October 2003
World Heritage Review n°33
Life of the Buddha in World Heritage New Sites on the World Heritage List Belize Coral Reef Cinque Terre Mesa Verde National Park
August 2003
World Heritage Review n°32
Goias: a Jewel on Brazil's Rio Vermelho Mount Kenya National Park Kasbah of Algiers: a Demanding Restoration Rhodes: the City of Knights
June 2003
World Heritage Review n°31
Borobudur, The Glory of Buddhist Art Baku, City on the Silk Road Robben Island, a Monument to Courage Redwood park, Mother Nature's Cathedral
April 2003
World Heritage Review n°30
Three Centuries of Saint Petersburg The Smoke that Thunders Victoria Falls Wooden Buildings of Ancient Nara Living with a Volcano Antigua Guatemala Romanesque Churches of the Vall de Boí
March 2003
World Heritage Review n°29
Minaret of Jam Cuzco Centre of the Andean World Lamu Coral garden of the Swahili East Rennell a Pacific gem Paramaribo
January 2003
World Heritage Review n°28
Industrial Heritage in the United Kingdom Kairouan a Muslim Holy City Rainforest Sites on the Australian Continental Plateau Kazan and its Tatar Kremlin Monte Alban Mexico's first city
December 2002
World Heritage Review n°26
The Slave Route New World Heritage Sites Quseir Amra and its fresco paintings Gunung Mulu National Park Jesuit Missions of Córdoba Old City of Acre
July 2002
World Heritage Review n°26
The Renewal of Venice The Loire Valley a river with a human touch Quebec a New World Fortress The Seychelles a Tale of Two Edens Modern Cairo and its Islamic Heritage
May 2002
World Heritage Review n°25
Modern Architecture Zanzibar Stone Town Ichkeul a wetland in search of water Trinidad de Cuba The Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz
January 2002
World Heritage Review n°23
Sacred Mountains of the World Heritage Saint-Louis in Senegal a historical capital Tiwanaku on the shores of Lake Titicaca Morne Trois Pitons Ecotourism in the Caribbean Old Town Lunenburg colourful and traditional And also... ...
March 2002
World Heritage Review n°24
New World Heritage Sites Ancient Merv Queen of cities Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Arequipa a white city of volcanic stone
November 2001
World Heritage Review n°22
Doñana, the Great Lady of European Nature The Alps and the Himalayas by Railway Bardejov, A Medieval Town to Discover Dazu, of the Ten Thousand Buddhas And also... World Heritage in Danger What is ICCROM? News
September 2001
World Heritage Review n°21
Baroque Architecture in Latin America Tsingy de Bemaraha Saint-Emilion Megalithic Temples of Malta Shrines and Temples of Nikko And also... World Heritage in Danger What is ICCROM? News
May 2001
World Heritage Review n°20
The Destruction of Bamyan The Netherlands Keeping Water at Bay Tres Serols Mont Perdu The Qadisha Valley Heritage Reclaimed The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park And also... Interview World Heritage in Danger News IUCN ...
March 2001
World Heritage Review n°19
World Heritage Rock Art Sites Maidan Imam, Isfahan Verla Groundwood and Board Mill Ha Long Bay Kilwa Kisiwani And also... Working together for Heritage (ICOMOS) World Heritage in Danger News
January 2001
World Heritage Review n°18
Budapest New World Heritage Sites Rapa Nui Vilnius St Kilda And also... News World Heritage in Danger
November 2000
World Heritage Review n°17
The Great Barrier Reef Potosi Asante Traditional Buildings Hué I Sassi di Matera And also... Flemish Béguinages News
September 2000
World Heritage Review n°16
Luang Prabang Roman Art in Africa The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Skogskyrkogarden Painted Churches of Moldavia And also... News Uxmal, historical and cultural legacy of the Mayas
August 2000
World Heritage Review n°15
Paris, the Banks of the Seine Ch'Angdokkung Palace The Valdés Peninsula The Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar And also... Interview with the UNESCO Director-General News Historic Town of Tallinn
June 2000
World Heritage Review n°14
Baalbek Prague Valley of the Boyne Colonia del Sacramento Ujung-Kulon / Krakatau And also... New World Heritages Sites News
April 2000
World Heritage Review n°13
Classical Gardens of Suzhou Timbuktu Biosphere Reserves Monastery of Guadalupe Sub-Antarctic Islands And also... Virtual Reality News
February 2000
World Heritage Review n°12
Romanesque Art in the World Heritage The Solovetsky Islands Old City of Galle Tikal, the Centre of the Mayan World Saint Gall Convent And also... Dja Faunal Reserve News
December 1999
World Heritage Review n°11
Machu Picchu Strasbourg Itchan Kala Garajonay National Park Tongariro National Park And also... Royal Palace of Abomey News
October 1999
World Heritage Review n°10
Istanbul Malbork Castle Dougga-Thugga Serra da Capivara Temple of the Sun in Konârak And also... New World Heritage Sites Senegal's World Heritage News
November 1998
World Heritage Review n°8
Mont Saint-Michel The History of Life La Amistad The Haeinsa Temple Desert Cities And also... Sintra Guatemala's World Heritage News
January 1998
World Heritage Review n°7
Pompeii and Herculaneum The Moghal Gardens Lake Baikal Las Médulas Querétaro And also... Site of Greenwich Interview with Prof. Francesco Francioni Panama's World Heritage News
December 1997
World Heritage Review n°6
Salzburg The Iguazu / Iguaçu Falls Islands: Living Laboratories Island of Mozambique The Lapponian Area And also... An Interview with Antonio Bassolino New World Heritage Sites Photo prize winners News
September 1997
World Heritage Review n°5
A trek to Sagarmatha Old City of Havana Coral Reefs The Canal du Midi Yellowstone National Park And also... An Interview with Christophe Charpentier Secrets of the Sea World Heritage and Tourism News Have ...
July 1997
World Heritage Review n°4
Holy Sites in India Galapagos Islands Tropical Rain Forests Mount Athos Lalibela And also... Interview with Galo Leoro Franco New World Heritage Sites The World Heritage Convention in Action News
June 1997
World Heritage Review n°3
Brasilia Mana-Pools Bergen and the Hanseatic Towns The Volcanoes on the World Heritage List Sana'a And also... Interview with leoh Ming Pei and Jean Lebrat News Cities for small planet
December 1996
World Heritage Review n°2
Manu National Park The Medina of Marrakech High Mountain Areas Industry and the World Heritage Borobudur And also... Interview with Ismail Serageldin Cultural Landscapes News
June 1996
World Heritage Review n°1
Angkor The Pilgrim Route to Santiago de Compostela World Heritage Wetlands The Seven Pillars of the Mystery of the Mayas Virunga, a World Heritage Site in Danger And also... Interview with Federico Mayor New World Heritage Sites ...
Quarterly magazine published jointly in English, French and Spanish, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris, France and Publishing For Development Ltd., London, United Kingdom.
Editorial Director: Kishore Rao (Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre) Managing Editor: Vesna Vujicic-Lugassy Editors: Helen Aprile, Gina Doubleday, Michael Gibson Co-Publisher: Richard Forster Production Editor: Caroline Fort Copy Editors: Caroline Lawrence (English), Brigitte Strauss (French), Luisa Futoransky (Spanish) Editorial Board: ICCROM: Joseph King, ICOMOS: Regina Durighello, IUCN: Tim Badman, UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Nada Al Hassan, Giovanni Boccardi,Guy Debonnet, Feng Jing, Karalyn Monteil, César Moreno-Triana, Mechtild Rössler, Petya Totcharova, UNESCO Publishing: Ian Denison Editorial Assistant: Barbara Blanchard Advertising Fernando Ortiz, Peter Warren