<h4>Understanding World Heritage Sites</h4><p><strong>World Heritage Sites</strong> are globally recognized locations deemed to possess <strong>outstanding value to humanity</strong>. These sites can be natural, cultural, or mixed, representing the best examples of Earth's natural and cultural heritage.</p><p>They are officially designated by the <strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong>. This designation ensures their special protection and preservation for future generations.</p><div class="info-box"><strong>Legal Framework:</strong> The designation is backed by the <strong>Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage</strong>. This international agreement was established by <strong>UNESCO in 1972</strong>.</div><h4>The Tentative UNESCO List Explained</h4><p>The <strong>Tentative UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites</strong> is a crucial preliminary step in the inscription process. It comprises sites identified by individual countries, known as <strong>States Parties</strong>.</p><p>These countries consider these sites to possess <strong>“outstanding universal value”</strong> and believe they are suitable candidates for eventual inscription on the main <strong>World Heritage List</strong>.</p><div class="key-point-box"><strong>Purpose:</strong> Inclusion on the Tentative List is a mandatory prerequisite. A site cannot be nominated for the World Heritage List unless it has first been included on a country's Tentative List for at least one year.</div><p>The list is officially published and maintained by the <strong>World Heritage Centre</strong>, which is the secretariat for the <strong>World Heritage Committee</strong>.</p>