World Heritage sites are places deemed to be of "outstanding universal value" to humanity, whether cultural, natural, or both. Thirty years ago, a treaty established this international program, directed by a World Heritage Committee and administered by UNESCO. Countries must request that a site be listed. The U.S. has only 20 sites—scant for its size—most of them parks like Yellowstone and Mesa Verde. Little Portugal, to pick a striking contrast, has 12 so far, including lively, historic town centers. The university city of Évora proudly proclaims its World Heritage pedigree on signs and travel brochures. Other Portuguese sites are seeking the coveted listing.

But it's not coveted in the States, where the designation arouses little interest—except among those misled into thinking the U.N. is taking over the sites. "An invasion of U.S. sovereignty!" is what some commentators claim. In fact, as Traveler magazine's October 2002 "TravelWatch" points out, UNESCO is helpless to do anything about a World Heritage site except comment or, in the extreme, delist it (which has never happened). When World Heritage officials criticized a proposed mine near Yellowstone in 1995, however, it did seem to help discourage the project. That, after all, is the intent of the World Heritage program—to preserve great sites—as envisioned by the country that first suggested and ratified it: the U.S.A.

This month we ask: Is the World Heritage program right for the U.S.?

—Jonathan B. Tourtellot,
Geotourism Editor

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