World Heritage consists of cultural and natural, structural and archaeological sites of outstanding universal significance, which should be preserved for future generations.  Generally known and recognised as World Heritage sites are the Great Wall of China, the Acropolis in Athens (Greece) and the Grand Canyon in the United States of America. Lesser known World Heritage sites include the Petroglyphs in Tamgaly (Kazakhstan), a part of the rain forests in Australia and traditional Ashanti buildings in Ghana.

World Heritage sites are considered to be of such outstanding universal significance that they must be preserved for future generations. Future generations must be able to experience this World Heritage in a virtually unaltered condition.

Areas or structures that make up part of the World Heritage (World Heritage/Patrimoine Mondial) are inscribed on the World Heritage List, which at the end of the year 2005 contained 812 World Heritage sites. 628 of these represent a part of the world’s cultural heritage, 160 its natural heritage and 24 are of both cultural and natural  significance. The World Heritage List is growing constantly. The list of countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention formulated by UNESCO is becoming ever longer. By the end of October 2005 the list counted 180 countries. World Heritage sites can be recognised by the World Heritage Emblem.

The World Heritage Committee strives to promote the World Heritage.