What is the World Heritage List?
The World Heritage List is established in accordance with the Convention and consists of those natural and cultural heritage sites approved by the World Heritage Committee to be of world heritage status.
Only countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention can submit nomination proposals for properties to be considered. To be included on the World Heritage List a site must be assessed as being of 'outstanding universal value' in terms of criteria set out in the UNESCO 'Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention'. 'Outstanding universal value' is defined within an international perspective and is a significant step up from national significance.
As of July 2006, there were 830 listed world heritage sites: 644 cultural, 162 natural and 24 mixed natural/cultural.