World heritage of Russia

In the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2017, there are 28 properties with “Russian Federation” in their descriptions, which is 2.7% of the total number (1,073 for 2017). 17 sites are included in the List under cultural criteria, with 6 of them recognized as masterpieces of human genius (criterion i), and 11 sites are included under natural criteria, with 4 of them recognized as natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance (criterion vii). In 2017, Russia ranked 9th in the world in terms of the total number of World Heritage sites, and 4th in terms of the number of natural sites (after China, USA and Australia).

In addition, as of 2017, 18 sites (not counting the three re-nominated sites) in Russia are among the candidates for inscription on the World Heritage List. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, of which Russia is the legal successor, ratified the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on October 12, 1988. The first sites located on the territory of Russia were inscribed on the list in 1990 at the 14th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.