UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
Background
editдггнндо are definitely not just about geology, but they want to protect and show the link between the geological heritage (geoheritage) of our Planet and related natural heritage (biosphere) and cultural heritage (tangible elements as monuments and intangible too, as traditions). This way, they are in close connection and coordination with other national and international projects (like national parks), and they are especially related to fellow UNESCO programmes:
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: promote the conservation of natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value of humanity
- UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme: focuses on the harmonized management of biological and cultural diversity
- UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage: elements of our common culture that cannot be touched (e.g. oral traditions, rituals, knowledge concerning nature)
As of 2020, there are 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 41 countries; they are members of the Global Geoparks Network. Several geoparks worldwide are applying for the label, they are the so-called aspiring geoparks. In some countries like China[dead link], Japan or Germany, there is an extensive network of national geoparks too, that follow similar guidelines, but without UNESCO labeling (so far). The UNESCO Global Geopark title is given for 4 years and then re-evaluated to ensure the quality of protection, education and development objectives in the area.
Geoheritage and its connection to biodiversity and cultural heritage appears in many forms. The so-called geosites are the exact “physical location” where important elements of geology can be found: landforms, caves, mines, quarries that illustrate well certain geological processes. They have or they are in coordination with museums, interpretation centers where people can learn about the geology of the geopark. Finally, they offer numerous activities and products, such as tours, or even food inspired by geology!
Their mission is to:
- inform people about the sustainable use and need for natural resources
- raise the awareness on geological hazards, like volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides
- show visitors how climate change can affect our environment, as geoheritage often hold records of past climate changes
- through education (both for children and adults!), spread awareness of our geological heritage and its links to natural, cultural and intangible heritage
- promoting active scientific research in the Earth Sciences in their territory
- conserve the geoheritage with necessary protection measures, monitoring, discouraging sale of geological products (minerals, fossils, etc.)
- celebrating the links between our communities and the Earth, like building materials, landforms in mythology
- involve and promote local and indigenous knowledge
- sustainable development and forms of green tourism (e.g. walking paths, local-focus in products, employees)
Africa
editCanary Islands (Spain)
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 El Hierro UNESCO Global Geopark | Canary Islands | 595 | 2014 | |
2 Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands UNESCO Global Geopark | Canary Islands | 2500 | 2015 |
Morocco
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark | High Atlas, Drâa-Tafilalet | 5730 | 2014 |
Tanzania
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark | Northeast Tanzania | 11886 | 2018 |
Asia
editChina
editIndonesia
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
40 Batur UNESCO Global Geopark | Bali | 370.5 | 2012 | |
41 Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark | Pelabuhan Ratu | 1260 | 2018 | |
42 Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark | Gunung Kidul, Wonogiri, Tulungagung | 1802 | 2015 | |
43 Rinjani-Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark | Lombok | 2800 | 2018 | |
44 Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark | Belitung | 22886 | 2021 | |
45 Toba Caldera UNESCO Global Geopark | Lake Toba | - | - |
Iran
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
46 Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark | Hormozgan | 2063 | 2017 |
Japan
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
47 Aso UNESCO Global Geopark | Kumamoto | 1198 | 2014 | |
48 Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark | Niigata | 750 | 2009 | |
49 Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark | Shizuoka | 2027 | 2018 | |
50 Mt. Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark | Hidaka | 364.3 | 2015 | |
51 Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark | Kōchi | 248.2 | 2011 | |
52 Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark | Shimane | 673.5 | 2013 | |
53 San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark | Kyoto, Shin'onsen, Tottori | 2458 | 2010 | |
54 Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark | Date and others | 1181 | 2009 | |
55 Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark | Nagasaki | 459.52 | 2009 |
Malaysia
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
56 Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark | West Coast, Langkawi | 478 | 2015 |
South Korea
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
57 Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark | Gyeongbuk | 845.71 | 2017 | |
58 Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark | Jeollanam-do | 1847 | 2010 | |
59 Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark | Jeollanam-do | 1051 | 2018 |
Thailand
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
60 Satun UNESCO Global Geopark | Southern Thailand, Satun | 2597 | 2018 |
Vietnam
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
61 Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark | Northern Vietnam, Hà Giang | 2356 | 2015 | |
62 Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark | Northern Vietnam, Cao Bằng | 3000 | 2018 |
Europe
editAustria
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 Steirische Eisenwurzen UNESCO Global Geopark | Styria | 586 | 2004 | |
4 Karavanke/Karawanken UNESCO Global Geopark | Styria, Upper Carniola | 1067 | 2013 | |
5 Erz der Alpen UNESCO Global Geopark | Salzburg | 211 | 2014 |
Belgium
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark | Wallonia | 915 | 2018 |
Croatia
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
7 Papuk UNESCO Global Geopark | Požega-Slavonia | 524 | 2007 | |
8 Vis Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark | Split-Dalmatia | 6661 | 2019 |
Cyprus
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
9 Troodos UNESCO Global Geopark | Limassol | 1147 | 2015 |
Czechia
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Global Geopark | Hradec Králové | 742 | 2005 |
Denmark
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 Odsherred UNESCO Global Geopark | Sjælland | 355 | 2014 |
Finland
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
12 Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark | Vaala | 1326 | 2010 |
France
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 Haute-Provence UNESCO Global Geopark | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | 2300 | 2000 | |
14 Luberon UNESCO Global Geopark | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | 1953 | 2004 | |
15 Massif des Bauges UNESCO Global Geopark | Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | 856 | 2011 | |
16 Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark | Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | 872 | 2012 | |
17 Monts d’Ardèche UNESCO Global Geopark | Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | 2280 | 2014 | |
18 Causses du Quercy UNESCO Global Geopark | Occitanie | 1855 | 2017 | |
19 Beaujolais UNESCO Global Geopark | Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | 1550 | 2018 |
Germany
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
20 Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark | Rhineland-Palatinate | 1220 | 2000 | |
21 TERRA.Vita UNESCO Global Geopark | Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphaila | 1560 | 2001 | |
22 Bergstrasse-Odenwald UNESCO Global Geopark | Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse | 3500 | 2004 | |
23 Swabian Alps UNESCO Global Geopark | Baden-Württemberg | 6688 | 2004 | |
24 Harz - Braunschweiger Land - Ostfalen UNESCO Global Geopark | Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt | 11500 | 2004 | |
25 Muskau Arch UNESCO Global Geopark | Brandenburg, Saxony, Lubusz | 578.8 | 2011 |
Greece
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
26 Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark | North Aegean | 1636 | 2000 | |
27 Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark | Crete | 1159 | 2001 | |
28 Chelmos – Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark | Achaea | 647 | 2009 | |
29 Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark | Crete | 517 | 2015 | |
30 Vikos-Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark | Western Macedonia, Epirus | 1200 | 2010 |
Hungary
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
31 Bakony-Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark | Veszprém | 3244 | 2012 | |
32 Novohrad – Nograd UNESCO Global Geopark | Nógrád, Banská Bystrica Region | 1587 | 2010 |
Iceland
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
33 Katla UNESCO Global Geopark | South Constituency | 9542 | 2011 | |
34 Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark | Southern Peninsula | 825 | 2015 |
Ireland
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
35 Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark | Waterford | 50 | 2001 | |
36 Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark | Ulster | 180 | 2001 | |
37 Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark | Ulster | 530 | 2011 |
Italy
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
38 Madonie UNESCO Global Geopark | Sicily | 400 | 2004 | |
39 Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark | Sicily | 1298 | 2008 | |
40 Beigua UNESCO Global Geopark | Liguria | 392 | 2005 | |
41 Adamello-Brenta UNESCO Global Geopark | Trentino | 1188 | 2008 | |
42 Cilento e Vallo di Diano UNESCO Global Geopark | Campania | 1841 | 2010 | |
43 Tuscan Mining Park UNESCO Global Geopark | Tuscany | 1087 | 2010 | |
44 Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark | Tuscany | 494 | 2011 | |
45 Sesia - Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark | Piedmont | 2023 | 2013 | |
46 Pollino UNESCO Global Geopark | Basilicata, Calabria | 1925 | 2015 |
Netherlands
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
47 Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark | Drenthe | 1000 | 2013 |
Norway
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
48 Gea Norvegica UNESCO Global Geopark | Telemark, Vestfold | 3000 | 2006 | |
49 Magma UNESCO Global Geopark | Vestlandet, Sørlandet | 3000 | 2006 | |
50 Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark | Trøndelag | 10082 | 2019 |
Poland
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
51 Muskau Arch UNESCO Global Geopark | Brandenburg, Saxony, Lubusz | 578.8 | 2011 |
Portugal
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
52 Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark | Centro | 4624.4 | 2006 | |
53 Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark | Norte | 327 | 2009 | |
54 Azores UNESCO Global Geopark | Azores | 12884 | 2013 | |
55 Terras de Cavaleiros UNESCO Global Geopark | Norte | 700 | 2014 |
Romania
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
56 Hateg Country Dinosaurs UNESCO Global Geopark | Hunedoara | 1024 | 2005 |
Slovakia
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
57 Novohrad – Nograd UNESCO Global Geopark | Nógrád, Banská Bystrica Region | 1587 | 2010 |
Slovenia
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
58 Karavanke/Karawanken UNESCO Global Geopark | Styria, Upper Carniola | 1067 | 2013 | |
59 Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark | Gorizia | 294 | 2013 |
Spain
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
60 Cabo de Gata - Níjar UNESCO Global Geopark | Andalusia | 500 | 2006 | |
61 Sierras Subbéticas UNESCO Global Geopark | Andalusia | 320 | 2006 | |
62 Sobrarbe UNESCO Global Geopark | Aragon | 2202 | 2006 | |
63 Sierra Norte de Sevilla UNESCO Global Geopark | Andalusia | 1774.84 | 2011 | |
64 Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark | Basque Country | 89 | 2010 | |
65 Villuercas-Ibores-Jara UNESCO Global Geopark | Extremadura | 2544.4 | 2011 | |
66 Central Catalunya UNESCO Global Geopark | Catalonia | 1300 | 2012 | |
67 Molina and Alto Tajo UNESCO Global Geopark | Castile-La Mancha | 4520 | 2014 | |
68 Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark | Castile - León | 950.76 | 2017 | |
69 Conca de Tremp–Montsec UNESCO Global Geopark | Catalonia | 2050 | 2018 | |
70 Courel Mountain UNESCO Global Geopark | Galicia | 577.85 | 2019 |
Turkey
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
71 Kula Volcanic UNESCO Global Geopark | Kula | 300 | 2013 |
United Kingdom
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
72 Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark | Ulster | 180 | 2001 | |
73 North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark | North East England | 1938 | 2004 | |
74 North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark | Scottish Highlands | 2100 | 2004 | |
75 Shetland UNESCO Global Geopark | Shetland | 1468 | 2009 | |
76 Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark | Wales | 763 | 2005 | |
77 GeoMôn UNESCO Global Geopark | Wales | 1800 | 2009 | |
78 English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark | Devon | 104 | 2007 |
North America
editCanada
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Percé UNESCO Global Geopark | Quebec | 555 | 2018 | |
2 Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark | New Brunswick | 2500 | 2010 | |
3 Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark | British Columbia | 7822 | 2014 |
Mexico
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Comarca Minera UNESCO Global Geopark | Hidalgo | 1848 | 2017 | |
2 Mixteca Alta UNESCO Global Geopark | Oaxaca | 415,4 | 2017 |
South America
edit
Brazil
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark | Northeast | 3441 | 2006 |
Chile
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Kütralküra UNESCO Global Geopark | Araucanía | 8053 | 2019 |
Ecuador
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
5 Imbabura UNESCO Global Geopark | Andean Highlands, Imbabura | 4794,34 | 2019 |
Peru
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 Colca y Volcanes de Andagua UNESCO Global Geopark | Southern Coast, Arequipa | 6010.9 | 2019 |
Uruguay
editOfficial name | Location | Area (km2) | Year | Geodiversity |
---|---|---|---|---|
7 Grutas del Palacio UNESCO Global Geopark | Central Interior, Flores | 3611 | 2013 |