List of World Heritage Sites in the United States

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde Park, Colorado, US (37)

Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin from above

A045, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA, Johns Hopkins Glacier, 2002

Dawn on the S rim of the Grand Canyon (8645178272)

South Florida rocklands on Everglades National Park Long Pine Key Nature Trail

Independence Hall

List of World Heritage Sites in the United States details the places that have been designated as part of the UNESCO World Heritage program within the United States. These sites are recognized for their cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance, and are legally protected by international treaties. The United States, being home to a wide range of natural wonders and significant cultural landmarks, boasts a diverse array of World Heritage Sites.

Overview

The concept of a World Heritage Site is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which identifies and conserves sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity. The United States ratified the World Heritage Convention on December 7, 1973, allowing its historic sites to be considered for inclusion on the list.

As of the current listing, the United States has a significant number of World Heritage Sites, ranging from prehistoric Pueblo structures to modern architectural marvels, and from vast natural landscapes to sites of pivotal historical events. These sites not only represent the rich cultural and natural heritage of the United States but also its commitment to preserving this heritage for future generations.

List of Sites

The following is a list of World Heritage Sites located in the United States, categorized by type (Cultural, Natural, or Mixed), with their year of inscription:

Cultural

• Mesa Verde National Park (1978) - A notable example of Ancestral Puebloan culture, featuring cliff dwellings and archaeological sites.
• Statue of Liberty (1984) - Symbolizing freedom and democracy, this iconic statue was a gift from France to the United States.
• Independence Hall (1979) - The site where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted.

Natural

• Grand Canyon National Park (1979) - Renowned for its immense size and intricate and colorful landscape, this site offers one of the most spectacular examples of erosion in the world.
• Yellowstone National Park (1978) - The first national park in the U.S. and the world, known for its wildlife and geothermal features, such as the Old Faithful geyser.
• Yosemite National Park (1984) - Famous for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity.

Mixed

• Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (2010) - A vast protected area encompassing ocean waters, ten islands, and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, recognized for both its natural and cultural significance.

Criteria for Selection

To be selected as a World Heritage Site, a site must meet at least one of the ten selection criteria specified by UNESCO. These criteria are regularly revised to reflect the evolution of the World Heritage concept itself. For a site in the United States to be nominated, it must first be placed on the Tentative List, after which it can be formally nominated to the World Heritage Committee for consideration.

Challenges and Conservation

World Heritage Sites in the United States, as elsewhere, face various challenges, including environmental degradation, climate change, and the impact of tourism. Efforts to conserve these sites involve collaboration between the federal government, local and state authorities, non-governmental organizations, and the communities living in or around these sites.

See Also

• National Park Service
• List of National Monuments of the United States
• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

This heritage related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.