From mountains, lakes, and deserts, to palaces, churches, and even whole cities, there are more than 890 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage sites around the globe. Their cultural and natural heritage have an "outstanding universal value" and "belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located."

According to the UNESCO website, this international organisation "seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity".

UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to:

· encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage;

· encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List;

· encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites;

· help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training;

· provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger;

· support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation;

· encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage;

· encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural and natural heritage.

As a town, St. George's achieved World Heritage status in December 2000.

Founded in 1612, our former Capital is the oldest continuously inhabited town of English origin in the western hemisphere, and provides a unique and magical experience to all those who explore her winding lanes, and enter historic buildings untouched by time.

The natural, unspoilt charm of the town makes it a living treasure which is capturing the interest of researchers, historians, architects and visitors from across the globe.