Internationally, there are 812 World Heritage Sites in 137 countries. Africa has 65 sites and South Africa a total of seven - three cultural, three natural and one mixed. In May 1997, South Africa ratified the World Heritage Convention. The South Africa World Heritage Convention Committee is responsible for the identification of possible sites in South Africa and the co-ordination of the Convention.

	Photographer: Nigel Dennis Wildlife Photography

The Unesco's World Heritage Committee seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of "outstanding value to humanity".

South Africa's seven World Heritage Sites are:

Robben Island -- is situated 11 kilometres offshore from Cape Town, the small windswept island is now home to the world-renowned Robben Island Museum, a highlight of any visit to South Africa.

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park -- has one of the largest estuary systems in Africa and the continent's southernmost coral reefs. In granting it World Heritage status in 1999, the World Heritage Committee noted the park's "exceptional biodiversity, including some 521 bird species".

The Cradle of Humankind -- covers the region of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and environs and has one of the world's richest concentrations of hominid fossils, evidence of human evolution over the last 3.5-million years.

The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park -- has outstanding natural beauty, Africa's highest mountain range south of Kilimanjaro, and the largest and most concentrated series of rock art paintings in Africa - making it a World Heritage site of both natural and cultural significance.

The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape -- was South Africa's first kingdom, and developed into the subcontinent's largest realm, lasting for 400 years before it was abandoned in the 14th century. Its highly sophisticated people traded gold and ivory with China, India and Egypt.

The Cape Floral Region -- takes up only 0.04% of the world's land area, yet contains an astonishing 3% percent of its plant species. This makes it one of the richest areas for plants in the world and one of the globe's 18 biodiversity hot spots.

The Vredefort Dome -- The world has about 130 crater structures of possible impact origin. The Vredefort Dome is among the top three, and is the oldest and largest clearly visible meteorite impact site in the world.

World Heritage Site Selection Criteria