With nearly 1160 World Heritage Sites in the World, how many such properties are in Africa so far?
There are 129 world heritage sites, on the African Continent as you read this.
Out of those there are 40 sites that are inscribed for their outstanding natural qualities, while 84 are listed as cultural sites and an additional 5 satisfy both natural and cultural criteria.
South Africa has the biggest number of World Heritage Sites on the African Continent boasting ten such UNESCO endorsed properties in the country.
But Morocco up North, which has nine and thus ranking at Number two in the listing, may just compensate it by the fact that the country also happens to have one of the only two Geoparks on the continent.
The M’Goun of Morocco is the first of the two UNESCO Global Geoparks to be established in Africa.
Ethiopia, the history rich state in Africa also has nine World Heritage Sites.
Tunisia has a total of eight World Heritage Sites ranking at number three (or maybe four, refer the placement of Ethiopia and Morocco above)
Then follows the countries with seven world heritage sites each; these include Egypt, Kenya, Algeria, Senegal and Tanzania. And with Tanzania, these include those found on the Zanzibar Islands.
But again, Tanzania is the only country which has one of the only two Global Geoparks found on the Continent, the Ngorongoro-Lengai located in the Northern Parts of the country is the second to be endorsed in Africa.
At number five, comes Libya with five World Heritage Sites. But the country is not alone.
Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), each has five World Heritage Sites.
Mali, on the other hand, has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Sudan, Uganda, Niger, Madagascar and Burkina Faso each has three World Heritage Sites
Chad, Ghana, Benin, Namibia, Gabon, Gambia, Nigeria, Malawi, Botswana, Mauritius, Mauritania, Cameroon, Seychelles and the Central African Republic each have two World Heritage Sites within their borders.
Meanwhile, Togo, Angola, Eritrea, Zambia, Lesotho, Guinea, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Congo Brazzaville, each have a single World Heritage Site, at least so far.
What are the World Heritage Sites?
By Definition these are landmark or areas with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance.