Democratic Republic of the Congo | World Heritage Explorer

The Democratic Republic of the Congo became a State Party to the World Heritage Convention in 1974. With five inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks 27th worldwide and 6th in Africa by number of World Heritage Sites. All currently inscribed properties are listed under the Natural category.

Democratic Republic of the Congo as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: September 23, 1974

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1980-1987

Total of Mandate Years: 7

Total of Mandates: 1

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Democratic Republic of the Congo (5)

Cultural: 0 | Natural: 5 | Mixed: 0

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

World Heritage Inscription Timeline

1979

Virunga National Park

1980

Garamba National Park

1980

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

1984

Salonga National Park

1996

Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Tentative World Heritage Sites (5)

Parc National de la Garamba · submitted: January 31, 2024
Parc National de la Lomami (PNL) · submitted: January 8, 2024
Grottes de Dimba et Ngovo · submitted: November 11, 1997
Grottes de Matupi · submitted: November 11, 1997
Dépression de l'Upemba · submitted: November 11, 1997

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Democratic Republic of the Congo

Official Name: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Middle Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: Kinshasa

Population (2024): 109,276,265

Land Area: 2,267,050 km²

Currency: Congolese franc (CDF)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Democratic Republic of the Congo

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.

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