The World Heritage List is a valuable tool in the battle to preserve cultural and natural heritage. Its strict criteria mean only the most extraordinary and important sites qualify, such as the Great Pyramids, the Statue of Liberty, Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef, the Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon. Natural and human-made creations both qualify for this kind of celebration and protection.

Firefly last published World Heritage Sites (8th edition) in 2017. It has been unavailable for years.

In that time, the world experienced the COVID pandemic, and the UNESCO Site Committee could not meet internationally.

Between 2017 and 2023, UNESCO has added 120 more sites and this book now includes such newly designated places as:

• Anticosti (Canada)
• Astronomical Observatories of Kazan (Russia)
• Ancient City of Qalhat (Oman)
• Babylon (Iraq)
• Bale Mountains National Park (Ethiopia)
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire -- Danube (Austria)
• Historic Center of Odesa (Ukraine)
• Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (USA)
• Jewish Medieval Heritage of Erfurt (Germany)
• Old town of Kuldiga (Latvia)
• Padua's 14th century frescoes (Italy)
• Porticoes of Bologna (Italy)
• Sudanese Style Mosques in Cote D'Ivoire
• Viking-Age ring fortresses (Denmark)
• ... and almost 100 more.

Each site is accompanied by a full-color locator map, and about 700 are shown in a color photograph.

This is a great reference, an ideal volume to browse and learn history, and a great place to plan travel to Europe, South America, Asian ruins and African waterfalls.