What do Timbuktu, Kathmandu, and the Statue of Liberty have in common? They are all World Heritage Sites. As of October, 2004, there are 788 sites designated by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to "encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity."

The attached 1-megabyte KML file locates all UNESCO World Heritage sites with a "star" placemark. Those with a red outline designate "endangered" sites.

Click or right-click any World Heritage placemark for a descriptive "snippet" and up to four clickable links:

• The "pic" link shows a postage-stamp-sized picture of the site. (Hint: Choose "Window/Web" in Keyhole's menu. Adjust the window size to fit the small picture. Now you can easily click to see the pictures as you browse the World Heritage sites, without leaving the Keyhole interface.)
  
  
• The "gg" link takes you directly to a Google image search.. Typically you'll see lots of good photos with links to good web pages. (It may help to edit the search terms a bit.)
  
  
• About 100 sites have "VR" links. Virtual reality! Blue star placemarks identify them. Click for ground-level 360-degree views of the site. (Requires the free Apple QuickTime viewer - You'll be guided through the installation if you don't have it.)
  
  
• The "more" link goes directly to UNESCO's webpage for the site, where you'll find the complete description, links to related documents, and related websites. You'll learn why the site was chosen, and, in some cases, why the site is endangered.
  

Most of these sites are still "low-res." Even so, the World Heritage placemarks and links take you to hundreds of fascinating, beautiful, exotic places. Many of them were completely unknown to me...I suspect many will have been unknown to you as well. Enjoy your journey!

UNESCO's World Heritage Centre

May 13, 2005 - I've (finally) merged in the Nordic placemark corrections. Thanks for your help Moaguten!