The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Cultural heritage consists of monuments, groups of buildings, and sites. Natural heritage consists of natural features, geological and physiographical formations, and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation, or natural beauty. Canada accepted the convention on 23 July 1976. There are 22 World Heritage Sites in Canada, with a further 10 on the tentative list.