Þingvellir on the World Heritage List

The Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, an international agreement adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972, was founded on the premise that certain places on Earth are of outstanding universal value and as such should form part of the common heritage of humankind.

The nations or State Parties that adhere to the Convention (175 as of September 2002) have become part of an international community, united in a common mission to identify and safeguard our world´s most outstanding natural and cultural heritage. Whilst fully respecting the national sovereignty, and without prejudice to property rights provided by national legislation, the States Parties to the Convention recognize that the protection of the World Heritage is the duty of the international community as a whole.

The Convention is profoundly original in that it links together in a single document that concept of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural sites.  Cultural identity is strongly related to the natural environment in which it develops. 

Just as the creative works of humankind are often inspired by the beauty of their natural surroundings, some of the most spectacular natural sites bear the imprint of thousands of years of human activity.

The nomination document can be downloaded here.

Management plan for Thingvellir National park can be downloaded here