UNESCO Sites by Country 2024

The world is full of incredible landmarks, monuments, structures, and other sites of exceptional historical and cultural significance. It’s critical to the legacy of humanity that these places and their artifacts are preserved and protected.

Established in 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Program fulfills this purpose by not only identifying but actively preserving the integrity of these sites, which can be human-created, nature-based, or both.

Here’s a closer look at which of the world’s countries have the most UNESCO sites, as well as a few contributing factors that could influence these stats. In some cases, UNESCO sites can belong to more than one country.

Italy

With 58 total UNESCO sites to its credit, Italy tops the list for a variety of possible reasons. These include Italy’s rich, extensive cultural heritage, especially that associated with the Roman Empire. Examples of key UNESCO sites in Italy include the city of Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the archeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

China

As of 2023, China is right behind Italy with a total count of 56 UNESCO sites. China’s diverse landscape, large size, and storied cultural heritage all contribute to this number with examples like the Great Wall of China, the Mogao Caves, and the Temple of Heaven.

Germany

Germany also comes attached to a rich cultural heritage reaching back thousands of years, a heritage that is reflected in its total tally of 51 UNESCO sites. Examples include the city of Berlin, Cologne Cathedral, and Muskau Park.

France

Modern French culture is derived from a combination of ancient cultural sources, including early Celtic and Germanic peoples. France also has the UNESCO sites to prove it – 49 total as of 2023. Examples include the Pont du Gard, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Versailles. Additional countries that possess a significant number of UNESCO sites include Spain, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Russia, Iran, Japan, the United States, Brazil, and Canada.

Factors That Can Contribute to Total National UNESCO Sites

Countries with long-standing, fabled cultural traditions or natural landscapes of exceptional beauty are more likely to have many UNESCO-protected sites. Size is also a factor, as larger countries are naturally more likely to contain more sites of cultural significance.

However, additional factors like political stability (or the lack thereof) and economic dynamics can affect conservation efforts, as well as a country’s ability to navigate the nomination process.