Book excerpt: The understanding and preservation of natural and cultural heritage is not only a task for experts but the daily contribution of the general public who visit and have an effect on World Heritage sites. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, UNESCO and DeAgostini Libri will present a first-time atlas featuring all World Heritage sites, including those inscribed in 2012. This atlas will present color maps for each region of the world; beautiful fold-out maps with enlarged areas featuring detailed information and color images of the sites located in them; and an index of site names and descriptions.