Ecuador | World Heritage Explorer

Ecuador has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1975. With 5 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. Its inscriptions include cultural and natural properties, representing a diverse heritage portfolio. One of these properties is shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Ecuador as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: June 16, 1975

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1976-1980, 1995-2001

Total of Mandate Years: 10

Total of Mandates: 2

WHC Electoral Group: III (Latin America/Caribbean)

World Heritage Sites in Ecuador (5)

Cultural: 3 | Natural: 2 | Mixed: 0

City of Quito · Cultural
Galápagos Islands · Natural
Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca · Cultural
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System · Cultural (Transboundary)
Sangay National Park · Natural

Map of World Heritage Sites

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

Tentative World Heritage Sites (6)

Galápagos Islands (extension) · submitted: January 6, 2026
Zaruma ciudad minera · submitted: February 24, 2016
Cultural Itinerary of Ecuador's Trans-Andean Train · submitted: February 24, 2016
Mayo Chinchipe - Marañón archaeological landscape · submitted: February 24, 2016
Parque Nacional Machalilla · submitted: June 30, 1998
Bosque petrificado de Puyango · submitted: June 30, 1998

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Ecuador

Official Name: Republic of Ecuador

Continent: Americas

Subregion: South America

UNESCO Region: Latin America and the Caribbean

Capital: Quito

Population (2024): 18,135,478

Land Area: 248,360 km²

Currency: United States dollar (USD)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Ecuador

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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