List of World Heritage Sites in Burkina Faso

W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

Ruins of Loropéni

Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso

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Location of World Heritage Sites in Burkina Faso

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries which are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.^[1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage.^[2] Burkina Faso ratified the convention on 2 April 1987.^[3]

Burkina Faso has three sites on the list. The first property listed in Burkina Faso was the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, in 1996.^[4] Two of the three sites, the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex and the Ruins of Loropéni are of the cultural type. The Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso are of the natural type. There are additional five sites on the tentative list. The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is a transnational site, being shared with Benin and Niger. Burkina Faso has served on the World Heritage Committee once.^[3]