ABSTRACT
World Heritage Sites belong to everybody around the world, independently of where they live. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seek to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. At present, UNESCO recognises 1092 World Heritage Sites, including both natural and cultural sites. From these, 845 sites are recognised for their cultural value mainly related to historic city centres, specific historic monuments and sites containing natural stone. Europe is the continent with the most World Cultural Heritage Sites, followed by Asia and Pacific countries, Latin America, Arab States, Africa, and North America. In all the regions, there are several cultural sites that are in danger: currently 3 in Europe, 4 in Asia and Pacific countries, 22 in the Arab States, 4 in Africa and 5 in Latin America.
