Definition
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place formally recognized under an international convention as having outstanding value to humanity, either culturally or naturally, and warranting protection for future generations.
Why it matters
Gros Morne National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, primarily because of the geological evidence at the Tablelands, which illustrates the process of plate tectonics as clearly as almost anywhere on Earth. The designation is a natural-heritage listing, not a cultural one — it's about the rocks and landforms, not human history.
Examples
Gros Morne National Park (inscribed 1987) is one of a small number of natural World Heritage Sites in Canada.
Related guides & terms
Last updated: August 2, 2026 · Editorial team