a world heritage site is a location that is listed by unesco as having outstanding cultural or natural value to the common heritage of humanity. the world heritage committee has designated 37 world heritage sites in oceania. these are in 14 countries, with the majority of sites located in australia. the first three inscriptions from the region, the great barrier reef, kakadu national park and the willandra lakes, were in 1981—three years after the list's creation. the region contains the world's three largest sites: phoenix islands protected area, papahānaumokuākea, and the great barrier reef. in addition, the tasmanian wilderness is one of only two sites that meet seven out of the ten criteria for world heritage listing (mount tai in china being the other).