List of World Heritage Sites in Canada

Old Québec

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Location of World Heritage Sites in Canada

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.[1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation, or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage.[2] Canada accepted the convention on 23 July 1976.[3] There are 22 World Heritage Sites in Canada, with a further 10 on the tentative list.[3]

The first two sites in Canada added to the list were L'Anse aux Meadows and Nahanni National Park Reserve, both at the Second Session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Washington, D.C., in 1978.[4] The most recent sites listed were Tr’ondëk-Klondike and Anticosti, both in 2023.[3] Two sites are shared with the United States. Ten sites are listed for their cultural significance, eleven for natural significance, and one, Pimachiowin Aki, is listed for both. Canada has served as a member of the World Heritage Committee four times: 1976–1978, 1985–1991, 1995–2001, and 2005–2009.[3]

  1. ^ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Canada". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 16 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Report of Rapporteur" (PDF). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2012.