The Four Corners region of the American Southwest, where New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona meet, is home to a unique cultural and historic legacy. Native American villages atop Arizona's Third Mesa are the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the United States. More archaeological sites exist in this region than in any other part of the country. Pueblo and Navajo cultures continue to inhabit a landscape where all forms of nature are sacred. During the 1980s, recognition of this legacy has grown throughout the world. Although many successful preservation efforts are underway, the challenge of protecting this cultural heritage has never been greater. Existing methods of protection must be adapted to preserve the Southwest's cultural heritage of sacred land. The Biosphere Reserve Program and the World Heritage Program, both assisted by UNESCO, are two examples of programs that could replace existing islands of preservation with centers extending outward and encompassing the sacred landscape. As historic preservation takes on a broader meaning in this region, national monuments can be created to include traditional sacred areas. Economic development in this region must be in harmony with traditional beliefs and ways of life of the indigenous people.