Afghanistan | World Heritage Explorer

Afghanistan has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1979. It is home to 2 World Heritage Sites. All currently inscribed properties are listed under the Cultural category.

Afghanistan as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: March 20, 1979

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: None

Total of Mandate Years: 0

Total of Mandates: 0

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in Afghanistan (2)

Cultural: 2 | Natural: 0 | Mixed: 0

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley · Cultural
Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

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

Tentative World Heritage Sites (4)

Bagh-e Babur · submitted: November 2, 2009
Band-E-Amir · submitted: September 8, 2004
City of Herat · submitted: August 17, 2004
City of Balkh (antique Bactria) · submitted: August 17, 2004

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Afghanistan

Official Name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Southern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Kabul

Population (2024): 42,647,492

Land Area: 652,230 km²

Currency: Afghan afghani (AFN)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Afghanistan

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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