A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place (either a natural feature, such as a forest, mountain, lake or desert; or a manmade item, such as a monument, building or city) that is listed by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as of special cultural, historical, architectural or physical significance, and outstanding universal value, which should be conserved for the common heritage of humanity. The programme was founded in 1972. Some sites are eligible for special funding.

As well as buildings and natural features, UNESCO now also recognises Intangible Cultural Heritage (Patrimonio Inmaterial de la Humanidad), which encompasses cultural traditions, practices and crafts. This list features two key aspects of life in Andalucia: flamenco and the Mediterranean Diet.

Andalucia has six World Heritage Sites - five cultural and one natural: Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín (Granada); Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias (Seville); the Historic City Centre of Cordoba; the Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza; and 68 items of cave art in Almeria, Granada and Jean provinces, which is included in Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula; and Doñana National Park.

There are currently 911 sites, with Italy having the most (45). Each item (some sites have several items, or items are added later when a site is extended) has its own identification number. The list is maintained by the International World Heritage Programme, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 state parties (countries) which are elected by their General Assembly for a four-year term (Spain was on the committee from 2007-2009). Spain has 42 sites in total: 37 cultural, three natural and two mixed sites. The Spanish for "World Heritage" is Patrimonio Mundial.

Here is a brief description of each of Andalucia's World Heritage Sites, quoting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's reasons for including them on the list.

Granada		Seville
Granada - the Alhambra, Generalife, and Albaicin. Moody and magnificent monuments to Moorish times More >		Seville - the Cathedral, Alcazar and Archivo de Indias. Intriguing blends of Christian and Moorish architecture, with invaluable historic documents of Spain's golden colonial era in the Archivo More >
Cordoba		Jaen
Cordoba - the Mezquita and Historic Centre. The superb, stripy Cathedral-Mosque, plus the beautiful old quarter with its pretty patios and Alcazar More >		Jaen - Ubeda and Baeza. Two exquisite Renaissance towns. More >
Huelva		Rock Art
Huelva - Doñana National Park, home to unique wetlands which draw thousands of migrating birds, as well as the endangered lynx. More >		Rock art - Prehistoric cave paintings in Jaen, Granada and Almeria, including a graphic logo you're sure to recognise More >
Flamenco		Mediterranean diet
This typically Andalucian art form, which consists of guitar, song and dance, is now on the list of Intangible World Heritage. It originated in gypsy families in Andalucian cities such as Seville, Jerez and Granada, and is now studied, practised and performed all around the world. More >		An essential part of life in Andalucia, this encompasses ingredients (olive oil, cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables, moderate dairy and meat), as well as skills and techniques of growing and harvesting crops; biodiversity; and associated crafts, rituals and traditions. More >