UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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Abstract

World Heritage Sites represent exceptional natural and cultural areas recognized internationally by the World Heritage Convention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This map locates the World Heritage sites in Canada.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage sites are so significant that the responsibility for their protection belongs not just to Canada, but also to the world. That is the philosophy behind the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, an agreement signed in 1972

The sites mapped here are Canada's contribution to this distinguished list — a combination of national and provincial parks deemed by the World Heritage Committee to number among the most significant sites on Earth. Canada has representative sites in each of the two categories used by UNESCO: cultural and natural areas.

Natural sites, such as the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, evoke images of snow capped peaks and turquoise lakes. More than 9 million people visit the seven parks every year. Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador features spectacular scenery of sharp ridges and huge cliffs, coastal bogs and highland tundra, ocean inlets and lakes. Hiking through the wilds and boat touring in a fjord are some of the recreational activities that can be enjoyed in the park. As of 2006, there are thirteen World Heritage Sites in Canada. All offer various tourist facilities. The map provides Web links to each individual site. These links which are maintained by Parks Canada provide useful information for visitors.

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Canadian Rockies Mountain Parks

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Gros Morne World Heritage Site, Newfoundland and Labrador