This book analyzes the cultural heritage sector in the Middle East and North Africa region and the World Bank's policy and operational experiences in this sector over the past six years--1996 to 2001. It also provides a description and an analysis of the experience of the Middle East and North Africa region in supporting patrimony preservation and outlines its strategy and options for future activities in this area. This volume offers operational suggestions for addressing some of the cultural, economic, institutional and financial problems of integrating patrimony management within development frameworks.