The World Heritage sites in North America are relatively scattered. The central plains in particular have few or no sites. Only Mexico has a concentration of sites and some sites on the eastern side of North America and in the central mountains are located relatively close to one another. The Statue of Liberty in New York is one of the best-known cultural features on the World Heritage List in North America.

(Photo: Lunenburg, Canada)

Most of the North American sites have been inscribed because of their natural value. Examples are Grand Canyon National Park (United States) and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland (Canada). Both countries' populations were ‘fostered’ mainly from several parts of Europe. More than any other country, the US also ‘imported’ black slaves from Africa until well into the 19th century. The original, partly nomadic population left few traces behind and remnants of early colonists are rather scarce due to ongoing rebuilding, except in Mexico. Of the original native settlements, the 1000 year-old Pueblo de Taos (US) has been placed on the World Heritage List as has the city of Chichén-Itzá (Mexico), dating from the pre-Spanish era. (Photo right: Chichén-Itzá, Mexico). Of the former colonial settlements, 18th-century Lunenburg (Canada) and the 14 early 16th-century convents on the slopes of the Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico) have also been inscribed.