Jamaica’s Blue Mountains and John Crow Mountains  have been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Prestigious World Heritage List. During the 33rd session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn, Germany, the designation represents the first such honor for Jamaica, as well as the first “mixed (cultural and natural)” site in the Caribbean region, one of only 32 mixed sites worldwide. Lisa Hanna, Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture, expressed the nation’s thanks to the Committee for its recognition of the mountains’ cultural and natural values. Hanna also noted that the experience with UNESCO has fostered a greater appreciation about the unique natural and cultural heritage of the island.