List of World Heritage Sites in Algeria

Beni Hammad

Tassili n'Ajjer

M'Zab Valley

Djémila

Timgad

Tipasa

Algiers

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Location of World Heritage Sites in Algeria

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in 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] Algeria accepted the convention on 24 June 1974.^[3] There are seven World Heritage Sites in Algeria, with a further six on the tentative list.^[3]

The first site in Algeria added to the list was Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad, in 1980. The most recent site added was Kasbah of Algiers, which was listed in 1992. Of the seven sites on the list, six are listed for cultural significance while Tassili n'Ajjer is listed for both cultural and natural significance.^[3] From 2002 to 2006, Tipasa was listed as endangered because of inadequate management of the site, including vandalism, growing urbanisation in the buffer zone, and unsuitable restoration techniques.^[4] Algeria has served on the World Heritage Committee three times.^[3]