Saudi Arabia | World Heritage Explorer

Saudi Arabia has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1978. With 8 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.

Saudi Arabia as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: August 7, 1978

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 2019-2023

Total of Mandate Years: 4

Total of Mandates: 1

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

World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia (8)

Cultural: 7 | Natural: 1 | Mixed: 0

Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape · Cultural
At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah · Cultural
Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) · Cultural
Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah · Cultural
Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia · Cultural
The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area · Cultural
Ḥimā Cultural Area · Cultural
‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid · Natural

Map of World Heritage Sites

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

Tentative World Heritage Sites (14)

Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia · submitted: January 4, 2024
Prehistoric Stone Structures in Saudi Arabia · submitted: January 23, 2023
Water Management in Saudi Arabia: The Ancient Dams · submitted: January 23, 2023
Bioclimatic Refugia of Western Arabia · submitted: January 23, 2023
The Oil Industrial Heritage in Saudi Arabia · submitted: January 23, 2023
The Rural Cultural Landscapes of Sarawat Mountains · submitted: January 23, 2023
The Ancient Walled Oases of Northern Arabia · submitted: January 3, 2022
The Hajj Pilgrimage Routes: The Darb Zubaydah · submitted: January 2, 2022
Farasan Islands Protected Area · submitted: January 3, 2019
Hejaz Railway · submitted: April 8, 2015
Syrian Hajj Road · submitted: April 8, 2015
Egyptian Hajj Road · submitted: April 8, 2015
Rijal Almaa Heritage Village in Assir Region · submitted: April 8, 2015
Zee Ain Heritage Village in Al-Baha Region · submitted: April 8, 2015

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Saudi Arabia

Official Name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Western Asia

UNESCO Region: Arab States

Capital: Riyadh

Population (2024): 35,300,280

Land Area: 2,149,690 km²

Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Saudi Arabia

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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