List of World Heritage Sites in South America facts for kids

This is a list of amazing places in South America that are so special, UNESCO has named them World Heritage Sites! These sites are important because they have unique natural beauty, incredible history, or show how people lived long ago. They are protected so everyone can learn from and enjoy them for many years to come.

World Heritage Sites

Site	Image	Location	Year	What Makes It Special
Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves	Forested mountains topped by rocks.	Paraná, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states,  Brazil	1999	These reserves protect some of the last remaining parts of the Atlantic Forest. This forest is home to many rare and unique plants and animals, making it very important for scientists and for protecting nature.
Brasília	Human sculptures and a hyperbolic shaped modern building.	Federal District,  Brazil	1987	Brasília is a city that was completely planned and built from scratch in 1956 to be Brazil's new capital. It's famous for its unique modern architecture and city design.
Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves	Rocky coast interspersed by sand beaches.	Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte,  Brazil	2001	These islands in the South Atlantic are super important for marine life. Many sea creatures, including endangered species like the hawksbill sea turtle, come here to feed and have their babies.
Canaima National Park	Table mountain, grassland and forest.	Bolívar,  Venezuela	1994	This park is famous for its flat-topped mountains called tepui. These mountains cover most of the park and are home to many plants and animals found nowhere else. It also has Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall!
Central Amazon Conservation Complex	Satellite image of a wide river and smaller meandering tributaries.	State of Amazonas,  Brazil	2000	This is the biggest protected area in the Amazon basin. It has an amazing variety of plants and animals, including many endangered species. It's a very important place for conservation.
Central Suriname Nature Reserve	Densely wooded mountain landscape.	Sipaliwini District,  Suriname	2000	This reserve protects a huge, untouched area of tropical forest. It has a high number of different species, including many that are unique to this area or are threatened.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks	Rocky mountain landscape and valley.	Central Brazil Plateau, State of Goiás,  Brazil	2001	These two parks represent the cerrado, one of the world's oldest tropical ecosystems. It's a vital safe place for many species, especially during times of climate change.
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone	Chan Chan	La Libertad,  Peru	1986	Chan Chan was the capital city of the ancient Chimú culture. It's made of mud-brick buildings. The site was once on the "in danger" list because heavy rain and erosion can easily damage its mud structures.
Chavín (Archaeological Site)	Stone ruins and stairs.	Huari Province, Ancash,  Peru	1985	This site was the center of the Chavín culture, which lived in the Andes mountains a very long time ago (between 1500 and 300 BC). It has cool terraces and squares carved from rock.
Churches of Chiloé	Wooden church with a single central tower.	Chiloé Province, Los Lagos Region,  Chile	2000	These churches are special because they show a mix of European and local building styles, all made from wood. They were built by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Chiribiquete National Park– “The Maloca of the Jaguar”	A tepui within the Chiribiquete National Park.	Caquetá and Guaviare Departments,  Colombia	2018	This is Colombia's largest protected area in the Amazon. It has amazing flat-topped mountains called tepuis and over 75,000 ancient rock paintings, some more than 20,000 years old! These paintings show hunting, battles, and ceremonies.
City of Cuzco	Cathedral of Cuzco	Cuzco,  Peru	1983	Cuzco was the most important city of the Inca Empire in the 15th century. After the Spanish took over, they built their own churches and buildings right on top of the Inca ruins, creating a unique mix of styles.
City of Potosí	City of small simple houses in front of a large conical red mountain.	Potosí, Potosí Department,  Bolivia	1987	Potosí became a huge industrial city in the 16th century after a massive silver reserve was found there. It has old mining facilities and colonial buildings. It was once on the "in danger" list.
City of Quito	A square with a large white church.	Quito, Quito Canton, Pichincha Province,  Ecuador	1978	Quito's historic center is one of the best-preserved colonial centers in Latin America. It was built in the Spanish colonial style and was once the capital of a Spanish royal court.
Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas	Abstract sculpture in front of a 20th-century tall building.	Municipality of Libertador, Caracas,  Venezuela	2000	This university campus is a masterpiece of early 20th-century architecture and city planning. It was designed to be open and airy, perfect for the tropical climate.
Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia	Coffee plantations in Quinchía.	Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda Departments,  Colombia	2011	Coffee growing has been a huge part of Colombian culture for over 100 years. It has shaped their music, architecture, food, and education, making it a very special cultural landscape.
Coro and its Port	A street with single-storied colorful houses.	Falcón,  Venezuela	1993	Coro was one of the first colonial towns in the Americas, founded in 1527. Its unique mud buildings mix Caribbean, Spanish, and Dutch styles. It has been on the "in danger" list since 2005 due to rain damage and new buildings.
Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas	Red and white handprints on a rock face.	Santa Cruz Province,  Argentina	1999	This cave is famous for its ancient rock art, especially the paintings of hands. These paintings, made between 13,000 and 9,500 years ago, show us about the very first people who lived in South America.
Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves	Small waterfall sided by two large rocks.	Atlantic Coast, Bahia and Espírito Santo states,  Brazil	1999	Like the South-East Reserves, these areas protect more of the precious Atlantic Forest. They are incredibly diverse, with many rare and unique species, important for both science and nature protection.
Fray Bentos Cultural-Industrial Landscape	Aisle between sets of industrial machinery on a factory floor	Río Negro Department,  Uruguay	2015	This site shows an important part of industrial history in South America. It includes old factory buildings and machinery related to meat processing.
Fuerte de Samaipata	Large rock with symbols cut into it and foundations of buildings.	Florida Province, Santa Cruz Department,  Bolivia	1998	Samaipata has the remains of an old town and a huge sculpted rock from the 14th-16th centuries. It's thought to have been a special ceremonial place for an ancient culture.
Galápagos Islands	Landscape with little vegetation, rocks and an isthmus.	Galápagos Province,  Ecuador	1978	These remote volcanic islands are super famous because Charles Darwin studied their unique animals, which helped him develop his theory of evolution. Many species here are found nowhere else in the world. The site was on the "in danger" list from 2007-2010.
Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa	Cathedral of Arequipa	Arequipa,  Peru	2000	Arequipa is built mostly from a white volcanic rock called sillar. The city's architecture mixes traditional local styles with European colonial building methods, creating a beautiful and unique look.
Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia	Large three-storied buildings with facades painted in bright colors.	Bahia state,  Brazil	1985	This is the old colonial town of Brazil's first capital. It has many colorful Renaissance houses from the 16th to 18th centuries. It was also the site of the first slave market in the New World.
Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca	Roofs and towers of a small white church and a larger brown brick church.	Azuay Province,  Ecuador	1999	Founded in 1557, Cuenca's city plan shows how different societies and cultures blended together. It's a great example of Renaissance city design in Latin America.
Historic Centre of Lima	Plaza de Armas, Lima	Lima Province,  Peru	1988	Lima was founded in 1535 and was the most important city in Spanish South America for a long time. Its buildings mix local and European styles, like the beautiful Monastery of San Francisco.
Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox	Facade of a stone church with tower painted in white and yellow.	Bolívar Department,  Colombia	1995	Mompox was founded in 1540 on a major river. Its historic center still looks much like it did in colonial times, with many old buildings still used for their original purpose.
Historic Centre of São Luís	A cobblestone street of old single-storied brightly colored houses.	Maranhão state,  Brazil	1997	São Luís has kept its original rectangular town plan and many historic buildings. It's a great example of a Portuguese colonial town.
Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina	Old church, cobble stone streets and two-storied houses.	Minas Gerais,  Brazil	1999	This 18th-century colonial town is a well-preserved example of Baroque architecture. It was built in a tough, rocky area and became a big center for diamond mining.
Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás	Facade of a two-storied stone church.	Goiás,  Brazil	2001	Founded in 1727, Goiás has kept much of its colonial history. It's a good example of a European settlement built deep inside South America.
Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda	White stone church with red tile roof near the sea.	Pernambuco,  Brazil	1982	Founded in 1537, Olinda grew rich from sugar cane. After being looted in the 17th century, its historic center was rebuilt in the 18th century, with a beautiful mix of buildings, gardens, and churches.
Historic City of Sucre	Historic City of Sucre	Oropeza Province, Chuquisaca Department,  Bolivia	1991	Sucre was founded by the Spanish in 1538. It still has many of its 16th-century religious buildings, showing how local and European building styles blended together.
Historic Inner City of Paramaribo	Street with two storied wooden houses.	Paramaribo District,  Suriname	2002	Paramaribo was a Dutch colonial town founded in the 17th century. It has kept its unique street plan and buildings that show the influence of Dutch architecture over time.
Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento	Stone wall with gate and draw bridge.	Colonia Department,  Uruguay	1995	Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, this town changed hands between the Spanish and Portuguese many times. Its well-preserved old town shows a mix of both Spanish and Portuguese colonial styles.
Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso	Cityscape with some colorful houses on a slope.	Valparaíso Province,  Chile	2003	In the late 1800s, Valparaíso was a busy stop for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its historic quarter, built on steep hills, shows what this important time of global trade was like.
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu	Machu Picchu	Cuzco,  Peru	1983	Located high in the mountains, Machu Picchu was a large Inca estate built around the mid-1400s. It has amazing stone walls, terraces, and buildings. About 1,200 people lived here, mostly priests, women, and children.
Historic Town of Ouro Preto	Two-storied white buildings with red roof tiles.	Minas Gerais,  Brazil	1980	This town was very rich during Brazil's 18th-century gold rush. You can see its wealth in the many preserved churches, bridges, and fountains, some designed by the famous artist Aleijadinho.
Huascarán National Park	Taulliraju Mountain in Huascarán National Park	Ancash,  Peru	1985	This park is in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, home to Peru's tallest peak, Huascarán. It has glaciers, deep valleys, and lakes, and is home to several unique animal species.
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works	Industrial structure in a desert setting.	Tarapacá,  Chile	2005	These two old saltpeter (a type of salt) factories are in the Atacama Desert. They show what the saltpeter industry was like in northern Chile in the 1800s and early 1900s, which brought people from all over to create a unique culture. The site was on the "in danger" list from 2005 to 2019.
Iguaçu National Park	A large horseshoe shaped waterfall.	Paraná,  Brazil	1986	This park protects Iguazu Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls. It's also home to many rare and endangered animals like the giant anteater and giant otter. It was on the "in danger" list from 1999-2001.
Iguazú National Park	A large waterfall in a densely vegetated area.	Misiones Province, Mesopotamia  Argentina	1984	This park, along with Iguaçu National Park in Brazil, protects the amazing Iguazu Falls. Its rainforest has over 2,000 plant species and large mammals like tapirs, jaguars, and howler monkeys.
Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks	A red and vertical rock face.	San Juan and La Rioja Province  Argentina	2000	This site has the most complete collection of fossils from the Triassic period (245–208 million years ago). The remains of mammals, dinosaurs, and plants here show how vertebrates evolved.
Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba	Stone church or monastery complex beyond a lake.	Córdoba  Argentina	2000	Founded in the early 1600s, this Jesuit site includes a university, church, homes, and five farming estates. They show the important work the Jesuits did for 150 years in the New World.
Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue	Ruins of stone buildings.	Paraguay	1993	The ruins of these Jesuit missions show the important religious, social, and economic activities of the Jesuits in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos	A wooden bell-tower and a church.	Santa Cruz Department,  Bolivia	1990	Six settlements in the Chiquitania region are preserved as living examples of Jesuit missions from the 17th and 18th centuries. Their churches mix local and European building styles.
Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa María Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of São Miguel das Missões (Brazil)	Ruins of a stone church facade and tower.	Misiones Province,  Argentina and Rio Grande do Sul,  Brazil	1983	These five ruined Jesuit missions were built in the tropical forest where the Guaraní people lived in the 17th and 18th centuries. Each one has a unique design.
Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca and Pampas de Jumana	Nazca monkey	Nazca,  Peru	1994	These huge designs in the Nazca Desert were made by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 AD. They scratched lines into the ground to create animals, plants, and shapes. They likely had a special religious meaning.
Los Alerces National Park	Lago Futalaufquen.	Chubut Province,  Argentina	2017	This national park protects beautiful forests, lakes, and mountains. It's known for its ancient alerce trees, which are some of the oldest living things on Earth.
Los Glaciares National Park	A glacier calving into the sea or a lake.	Santa Cruz Province,  Argentina	1981	This park is incredibly beautiful, with tall mountains, stunning glacial lakes, and huge glaciers, some of which are still growing.
Los Katíos National Park	Giant anteater in Los Katíos	Antioquia and Chocó Departments,  Colombia	1994	Located in the Darién Gap, this park has hills, forests, and wet plains. It's famous for its amazing variety of plants and animals, including many endangered species. It was on the "in danger" list from 2009 to 2015.
Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary	Irregularly shaped rock with smooth surfaces in the sea.	Cauca Department,  Colombia	2006	This sanctuary protects Malpelo Island, a unique rock formation in the Pacific Ocean. It's a critical habitat for many marine species, especially sharks and other large ocean creatures.
Manú National Park	Manú National Park	Madre de Dios,  Peru	1987	This park stretches from low-lying areas to high mountains. It's home to an incredible number of species: 1,000 bird species, over 200 mammal species (including 100 types of bats!), and more than 15,000 flowering plants.
National Archeological Park of Tierradentro	Interior of a cave with wall paintings.	Inza, Cauca Department,  Colombia	1995	This park is known for its underground tombs, which are carved into the earth. These tombs have unique designs and paintings, showing the burial customs of an ancient culture.
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park	Large waterfall among rocks covered with vegetation.	Santa Cruz Department,  Bolivia	2000	This large national park is known for its incredible biodiversity, including different types of forests, savannas, and wetlands. It's a very important place for protecting many species.
Pampulha Modern Ensemble	Olhar sobre a Lagoa da Pampulha.	Belo Horizonte,  Brazil	2016	This site is a collection of modern buildings and landscapes designed by famous architects like Oscar Niemeyer. It's a great example of modern architecture and urban planning from the mid-20th century.
Pantanal Conservation Area	Plain with forests, grassland, rivers and many lakes.	Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso,  Brazil	2000	The Pantanal is one of the world's largest tropical wetlands. This conservation area protects a huge part of it, which is home to an amazing variety of wildlife, especially birds and aquatic animals.
Paraty and Ilha Grande - Culture and Biodiversity	Plain with old buildings, forests, mountains and palm trees.	Rio de Janeiro  Brazil	2019	This special place combines a historic coastal town, Paraty, with beautiful natural areas of the Atlantic Forest. It's home to many threatened animals like the jaguar and woolly spider monkey. Paraty was once a key port for shipping gold to Europe.
Península Valdés	A group of sea lions.	Viedma Department  Argentina	1999	This peninsula is a very important place for marine mammals. You can see many different species here, including whales, sea lions, and elephant seals, especially during their breeding seasons.
Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena	Facade of a yellow stone church with two towers.	Bolívar Department,  Colombia	1984	Cartagena was a very important port city during colonial times. It has strong fortresses and beautiful old buildings that show its rich history and how it was protected from attacks.
Quebrada de Humahuaca	Mountains with little vegetation cover.	Jujuy Province  Argentina	2003	This valley has been a major trade route for 10,000 years. It shows how people have lived and traveled through the Andes mountains for centuries, with evidence of ancient cultures and colonial towns.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System	Inca road system near Macchu Picchu, Peru.	Argentina*,  Bolivia*,  Chile*,  Colombia*,  Ecuador*,  Peru*	2014	This is a huge network of roads built by the Inca Empire over many centuries, covering 30,000 kilometers! It connected the high Andes mountains to the coast, going through all kinds of landscapes.
Rio Abiseo National Park	Friso antropomorfo en el Gran Pajatén.	San Martín,  Peru	1990	This park protects a rainforest habitat and is home to many unique species, like the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, which was once thought to be extinct. It also has over 30 ancient sites from before Columbus arrived.
Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes Between the Mountain and the Sea	Christ on Corcovado mountain.	Rio de Janeiro,  Brazil	2012	This site celebrates the unique way Rio de Janeiro's city life blends with its stunning natural surroundings. It includes famous spots like Tijuca National Park, Corcovado Mountain with the Christ statue, and the beautiful beaches of Copacabana.
Sacred City of Caral-Supe	Caral	Lima,  Peru	2009	Caral is one of the oldest known cities in the Americas, dating back to the Late Archaic period. It has many monuments and pyramids, showing how complex urban life was in this region thousands of years ago.
San Agustín Archaeological Park	Several stone figures carrying a large flat stone on their heads.	San Augustin and San José de Isnos, Huila Department,  Colombia	1995	This park is famous for its large collection of ancient stone statues and tombs. These sculptures were created by a mysterious culture that lived here long before the Spanish arrived.
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas	Stairs leading to a white stone church.	Congonhas, Minas Gerais,  Brazil	1985	This beautiful sanctuary is a great example of Brazilian Baroque art. It features impressive sculptures by the famous artist Aleijadinho, especially his statues of prophets.
Sangay National Park	Forested mountain landscape.	Morona Santiago, Chimborazo and Tungurahua Provinces,  Ecuador	1983	This park has a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to glaciers. It's home to many unique and endangered species. It was on the "in danger" list from 1992-2005.
São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão	Square of São Francisco	São Cristóvão, Sergipe,  Brazil	2010	This square is a well-preserved example of a Franciscan convent complex from the colonial period. It shows the religious and architectural styles of the time in Brazil.
Serra da Capivara National Park	Rock painting in red of a four legged animal.	Piauí,  Brazil	1991	This park is famous for its many rock shelters with ancient cave paintings. These paintings are some of the oldest in the Americas, showing the lives of early human inhabitants.
Sewell Mining Town	Large three-storied houses on a slope.	Machalí, Cachapoal Province, O'Higgins Region  Chile	2006	Sewell is an old mining town built on a steep hillside in the Andes. It was created for copper mining and is a unique example of a company town designed for its challenging mountain environment.
Tiahuanacu: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiahuanacu Culture	Simple stone gate decorated with a flat repeating checkered pattern.	Ingavi Province, La Paz Department,  Bolivia	2000	Tiahuanacu was the center of a powerful pre-Inca civilization that flourished for centuries. It has impressive stone structures, including temples and monuments, showing the advanced skills of this ancient culture.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement	Curutchet.	Argentina*,  Belgium*,  France*,  Germany*,  India*,  Japan*,  Switzerland*	2016	This site includes a building in Argentina that is part of a larger collection of works by the famous architect Le Corbusier. His designs were very important in shaping modern architecture around the world.
Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site	Cais do Valongo e da Imperatriz.	Rio de Janeiro,  Brazil	2017	This archaeological site is the remains of an old stone wharf where enslaved Africans arrived in Brazil. It's a powerful reminder of the history of slavery and its impact.

See also

• Lists of World Heritage Sites