UNESCO World Heritage Site

The programme, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, catalogues, names, and conserves sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity. Under certain conditions, listed sites can obtain funds from the World Heritage Fund. The programme was founded with the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972. Since then, 185 state parties have ratified the convention. As of 2008, 878 sites are listed: 678 cultural, 174 natural, and 26 mixed properties, in 145 states. Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites to date with 43 sites inscribed to the list.

Peru is home of 11 sites: City of Cuzco (1983), Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (1983), Chavin (Archaeological Site) (1985), Huascarán National Park (1985) # Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (1986), Manú National Park (1987), Historic Centre of Lima (1988, 1991), 17 Río Abiseo National Park (1990, 1992), Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana (1994), Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa (2000), Caral-Supe Sacred City of Caral-Supe (2009).