World Heritage sites include many ruins, ancient cities and other evidence of past human civilizations. Visitors can learn the history of a people by visiting such sites.
Sometimes visitors can learn more about contemporary cultures by visiting sites where they once thrived. When visiting the monasteries, archeological sites and ancient Mayan cities of Mexico, for instance, visitors may come away with a better sense of the roots of Mexican culture, and what it values and takes pride in today.
World Heritage sites often feature rare and beautiful natural phenomena, endangered habitat, rich biological diversity or striking land features. China's Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, Honduras' Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve and Canada's Dinosaur Provincial Park represent such phenomena, respectively.
Many world heritage sites can teach us about how species (including humans) developed throughout time. The Galapagos Islands can show us much about evolution, of course, and the rock art in Valcamonica, Italy, can teach us about how human societies progressed.
World Heritage sites also showcase the accomplishments of humans around the world, such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt. These masterpieces show the human potential and can be appreciated by all.
Some World Heritage sites are still used in religious practices, so they must be respected and protected. Many places of worship, such as the Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik, Croatia, are protected as World Heritage sites.
