UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Dominica
Dominica has 1 site on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1 natural), the first inscribed in 1997 (Morne Trois Pitons National Park). The map below plots it alongside the rest of the List, and each site is written up in full further down the page.
- World Heritage Sites
- 1
- Cultural
- 0
- Natural and Mixed
- 1
- First Inscribed
- 1997
Map of World Heritage Sites in Dominica
CulturalNaturalMixedIn DangerLarge dots are in Dominica. Click a dot to read about the site.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Dominica · 15.2667° N, 61.2833° W · 69 km² · 12 km from Roseau
Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a national park in Dominica established in July 1975, the first to be legally established in the country. It became a World Heritage Site in 1997. The park is named after its highest mountain, Morne Trois Pitons, meaning "mountain of three peaks." The park is an area of significant volcanic activity. Features within the park include the Valley of Desolation, a region of boiling mud ponds and small geysers; the Boiling Lake; Titou Gorge; and Emerald Pool. The mountain is the second-highest peak in Dominica, being exceeded only by Morne Diablotins (1,447 m (4,747 ft)).
Adapted from Wikipedia: Morne Trois Pitons National Park (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Why Morne Trois Pitons National Park Is Listed
- (viii)
- An outstanding example of major stages of the Earth's history.
- (x)
- The most important natural habitats for conserving biodiversity.
More about Morne Trois Pitons National Park
UNESCO's Description
Luxuriant natural tropical forest blends with scenic volcanic features of great scientific interest in this national park centred on the 1,342-m-high volcano known as Morne Trois Pitons. With its precipitous slopes and deeply incised valleys, 50 fumaroles, hot springs, three freshwater lakes, a 'boiling lake' and five volcanoes, located on the park's nearly 7,000 ha, together with the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles, Morne Trois Pitons National Park presents a rare combination of natural features of World Heritage value.
From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Background
The park was established in 1975 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Its area is about 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres), and it is dominated by the Morne Trois Pitons volcanoes (1,342 m (4,403 ft)), from which it gets its name. The three major types of geological formations found in the park are volcanic cones, glacis slopes, and soufrières (sulfur deposits). The landscape consists of steep-sided volcanic hills separated by deep canyons. All the major waterways of the southern half of the island emanate from here, and there are spectacular waterfalls, creeks, rivers, pools, and natural lakes. Ongoing volcanic activity is demonstrated by the fumaroles and hot springs, geysers, mud pools, and streams of various colours.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Morne Trois Pitons National Park (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Key Facts
| Established | 1975 |
|---|---|
| Area | 68.6 km² |
Facts from Wikidata Q629436 (CC0).
World Heritage in Dominica: Quick Answers
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Dominica?
- Dominica has 1 World Heritage Site: 1 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Dominica?
- Morne Trois Pitons National Park, inscribed in 1997.
- What are the natural World Heritage Sites in Dominica?
- Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
- Are any World Heritage Sites in Dominica in danger?
- None of the World Heritage Sites in Dominica is on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.