To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must satisfy
the selection criteria. Revised regularly by the World Heritage
Committee, the criteria have evolved to match the evolution of the
World Heritage concept itself.
Cultural criteria
The criteria for inclusion of cultural properties on the World
Heritage List should always be seen in relation to one another and
should be considered in the context of the definition set out in
Article 1 of the Convention.
A monument, group of buildings or site which is nominated for
inclusion on the World Heritage List will be considered to be of
outstanding universal value for the purpose of the Convention when
the Committee finds that it meets one or more of the following
criteria and the test of authenticity. These criteria are defined
by the Committee in its Operational
Guidelines. Each property nominated should:
i.????????????????????
represent a masterpiece of human creative genius; or
ii.??????????????????
exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of
time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in
architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or
landscape design; or
iii.?????????????????
bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural
tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has
disappeared; or
iv.????????????????
be an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural or
technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a)
significant stage(s) in human history; or
v.??????????????????
be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement or
land-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures),
especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of
irreversible change; or
vi.????????????????
be directly or tangibly associated with events or living
traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary
works of outstanding universal significance (the Committee
considers that this criterion should justify inclusion in the List
only in exceptional circumstances and in conjunction with other
criteria cultural or natural).
Natural criteria
A natural heritage property - as defined in Article 2 of the
Convention - which is submitted for inclusion in the World Heritage
List will be considered to be of outstanding universal value for
the purposes of the Convention when the Committee finds that it
meets one or more of the following criteria specified by Operational
Guidelines and fulfilling the conditions of integrity
set out below. Sites nominated should:
i.????????????????????
be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's
history, including the record of life, significant on-going
geological processes in the development of landforms, or
significant geomorphic or physiographic features; or
ii.??????????????????
be outstanding examples representing significant on-going
ecological and biological processes in the evolution and
development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine
ecosystems and communities of plants and animals; or
iii.????????????????
contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional
natural beauty and aesthetic importance; or
iv.???????? contain the
most important and significant natural habitats for in situ
conservation of biological diversity, including those containing
threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of
view of science or conservation.