List of World Heritage Sites in the United States facts for kids

The List of World Heritage Sites in the United States is a group of places chosen by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

History

UNESCO was created for the "conservation and protection of the world’s inheritance of books, works of art and monuments of history and science". The constitution of UNESCO was ratified in 1946 by 26 countries, including the United States.

List

The World Heritage Sites list has developed over time. It is part of a process; and the list continues to grow.

As of 2012, there are 21 places in the United States which are on the World Heritage List.

8 cultural sites
12 natural sites

There are 3 sites which are on a tentative list.

Table

Name	Location	Notes
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site	Illinois	cultural site
Carlsbad Caverns National Park	New Mexico	natural site
Chaco Culture	New Mexico	cultural site
Everglades National Park	Florida	natural site
Grand Canyon National Park	Arizona	natural site
Great Smoky Mountains National Park	Tennessee; North Carolina	natural site
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park	Hawaii	natural site
Independence Hall	Pennsylvania	cultural site
Kluane/Wrangell-St Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek	Alaska	natural site
La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site	Puerto Rico	cultural site
Mammoth Cave National Park	Kentucky	natural site
Mesa Verde National Park	Colorado	cultural site
Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville	Virginia	cultural site -- Monticello; University of Virginia
Olympic National Park	Washington	natural site
Papahānaumokuākea	Hawaii	natural site
Redwood National and State Parks	California	natural site
Pueblo de Taos	New Mexico	cultural site
Statue of Liberty	New York	cultural site
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park	Montana	natural site
Yellowstone National Park	Wyoming, Montana, Idaho	natural site -- 1st national park in the world; created March 1, 1872
Yosemite National Park	California	natural site