Established in 1972, the World Heritage Committee is devoted to protecting the world's cultural and natural heritage and now includes a list of 730 sites which have been given the status of World Heritage Site. This large volume is part of a collaborative project between UNESCO and Skira Editore to publish information on these sites and begins with a selection of 46 archaeological sites or areas from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Descriptions and historical information are placed alongside stunning colour photographs of areas such as the Vatican City, Stonehenge, Angkor, Cracow, Petra, Damascus, Thebes, Copan, Machu Picchu and Nasca. A list of all the archaeological sites and urban areas protected by UNESCO are listed at the back. The next two volumes will focus on individual monumental complexes and environmental areas under threat.