The Unesco World Heritage Sites of Ethiopia

There are nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites listed in Ethiopia as of 2019. The first two sites were declared in 1978. Only one natural site is included in the list (Simien National Park) and the other eight are all cultural sites. Ethiopia’s numerous cultural heritage sites are due to the fact that the most ancient anatomical evidence of human life on Earth was discovered in Ethiopa.

The World Heritage Sites in alphabetic order are as follows:
1. Aksum (1980) 
2. Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region (1979)
3. Hara Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town (2006)
4. Konso Cultural Landscape (2011)
5. Lower Valley of the Awash (1980)
6. Lower Valley of the Omo (1980)
7. Rock Hewn Churches, Lalibela (1978)
8. Simien National Park (1978)
9. Tiya (1980)

In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list. As of 2014, Ethiopia recorded five sites on its tentative list. The sites, along with the year they were included on the tentative list are:
Bale Mountains National Park (2008)
Dirre Sheik Hussein Religious, Cultural and Historical Site (2011)
Holqa Sof Omar: Natural and Cultural Heritage (Sof Omar: Caves of Mystery) (2011)
Gedeo Mixed Cultural and Natural Landscape (2012)
In December 2019, the Ethiopian religious festivity of Epiphany was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It is Ethiopia’s first Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.