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Flag of Iraq Iraq

Iraq has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1974. With 6 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.

Iraq as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: March 5, 1974

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1976-1983, 2009-2013

Total of Mandate Years: 11

Total of Mandates: 2

WHC Electoral Group: V(b) (Arab States)

World Heritage Sites in Iraq (6)

Cultural: 5 | Natural: 0 | Mixed: 1

Map of World Heritage Sites

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

Tentative World Heritage Sites (15)

  • Archaeological site of Aqar Quf (ancient Dur-Kurigalzu) · submitted: January 31, 2025
  • The Hajj Pilgrimage Routes: The Darb Zubaydah · submitted: January 2, 2022
  • Kirkuk Citadel · submitted: April 6, 2021
  • Lalish Temple · submitted: April 15, 2020
  • Old City of Mosul · submitted: August 17, 2018
  • Nippur · submitted: February 20, 2017
  • Bestansur Neolithic settlement · submitted: January 20, 2017
  • Historical Features of the Tigris River in Baghdad Rusafa, which extends from the school Al-Mustansiriya to the Abbasid Palace · submitted: March 28, 2014
  • Amedy city · submitted: February 2, 2011
  • Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery in Najaf · submitted: January 24, 2011
  • The Site of Thilkifl · submitted: January 21, 2010
  • Nimrud · submitted: July 7, 2000
  • The Ancient City of Nineveh · submitted: July 7, 2000
  • The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar · submitted: July 7, 2000
  • Wasit · submitted: July 7, 2000

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Iraq

Official Name: Republic of Iraq

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Western Asia

UNESCO Region: Arab States

Capital: Baghdad

Population (2024): 46,042,015

Land Area: 434,130 km²

Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Iraq

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.

Portions of this page are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset. Changes made. Original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Commission. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

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