Ethiopia | World Heritage Explorer

Ethiopia has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1977. With 12 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Ethiopia as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: July 6, 1977

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 2009-2013, 2019-2023

Total of Mandate Years: 8

Total of Mandates: 2

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia (12)

Cultural: 10 | Natural: 2 | Mixed: 0

Aksum · Cultural
Bale Mountains National Park · Natural
Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region · Cultural
Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town · Cultural
Konso Cultural Landscape · Cultural
Lower Valley of the Awash · Cultural
Lower Valley of the Omo · Cultural
Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia · Cultural
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela · Cultural
Simien National Park · Natural
The Gedeo Cultural Landscape · Cultural
Tiya · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

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

Tentative World Heritage Sites (6)

Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP) · submitted: January 31, 2023
Lake Tana Island Monasteries and its Adjacent Wetland Natural and Cultural Heritages · submitted: August 6, 2021
The Cultural Heritage of Yeha · submitted: March 10, 2020
Sacred Landscapes of Tigray · submitted: February 2, 2018
Dirre Sheik Hussein Religious, Cultural and Historical Site · submitted: December 14, 2011
Holqa Sof Omar: Natural and Cultural Heritage (Sof Omar: Caves of Mystery) · submitted: December 14, 2011

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Ethiopia

Official Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Eastern Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: Addis Ababa

Population (2024): 132,059,767

Land Area: 1,128,570 km²

Currency: Ethiopian birr (ETB)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Ethiopia

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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