9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in North America

6. Cahokia Mounds: An Ancient Urban Center

The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, located near St. Louis, Missouri, is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. This ancient city, which thrived from approximately 1050 to 1350 AD, was a major center of the Mississippian culture. The site features over 80 mounds, with Monks Mound being the largest, reflecting the complex social, political, and religious life of its inhabitants. Cahokia's sophisticated urban planning and monumental architecture provide valuable insights into the region's indigenous cultures and their interactions with the environment. As a testament to the ingenuity of its builders, Cahokia Mounds remains a critical site for understanding the history and development of North America.