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Canada became a State Party to the World Heritage Convention in 1976. With 22 inscribed properties, the country is one of the more prominent contributors to the World Heritage List. Canada ranks 13th worldwide and 4th in Americas by number of World Heritage Sites. Its inscriptions include cultural and natural properties, representing a diverse heritage portfolio. Some of these properties are shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Canada as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: July 23, 1976

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1976-1978, 1985-1991, 1995-2001, 2005-2009

Total of Mandate Years: 18

Total of Mandates: 4

WHC Electoral Group: I (Western Europe/North America)

World Heritage Sites in Canada (22)

Cultural: 10 | Natural: 11 | Mixed: 1

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada.

World Heritage Inscription Timeline

1978
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
1978
Nahanni National Park
1979
Dinosaur Provincial Park
1979
Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
1981
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
1981
SGang Gwaay
1983
Wood Buffalo National Park
1984
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
1985
Historic District of Old Québec
1987
Gros Morne National Park
1995
Old Town Lunenburg
1995
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
1999
Miguasha National Park
2007
Rideau Canal
2008
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
2012
Landscape of Grand Pré
2013
Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
2016
Mistaken Point
2018
Pimachiowin Aki
2019
Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi
2023
Anticosti
2023
Tr’ondëk-Klondike

Tentative World Heritage Sites (10)

  • Transatlantic Cable Ensemble · submitted: December 20, 2022
  • Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area · submitted: April 13, 2018
  • Qajartalik · submitted: April 13, 2018
  • Sirmilik National Park and Tallurutiup Imanga (proposed) National Marine Conservation Area · submitted: April 13, 2018
  • Stein Valley · submitted: April 13, 2018
  • Wanuskewin · submitted: April 13, 2018
  • Yukon Ice Patches · submitted: April 13, 2018
  • Gwaii Haanas · submitted: October 1, 2004
  • Ivvavik / Vuntut / Herschel Island (Qikiqtaruk) · submitted: October 1, 2004
  • Quttinirpaaq · submitted: October 1, 2004

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Canada

Official Name: Canada

Continent: Americas

Subregion: North America

UNESCO Region: Europe and North America

Capital: Ottawa

Population (2024): 41,288,599

Land Area: 8,788,700 km²

Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)

Country Data Sources

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Portions of this page are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset. Changes made. Original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

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