What Is A UNESCO Geopark And Why Are They Important?

You may have seen the term UNESCO Geopark floating around on your travels. You may have even been to a UNESCO Geopark. But what actually is one of these and why were they created? In this article, I explain all…

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Who are UNESCO?

When it comes to understanding what a UNESCO Geopark is, it is worth looking at what UNESCO is.

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In the organisation’s own words, they are committed to “the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information”.

UNESCO is based in Paris, and has 193 member states. It sponsors various projects, related to science, culture, education, technology, literacy and more.

UNESCO has various designated World Heritage Sites. These are landmark sites that have historical, cultural or scientific significance. Often they double as popular tourist attractions. There are currently over 1,100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Quito in Ecuador was the first to be named in 1978, and the list includes forest, lakes, volcanoes, entire cities and more.

As an organisation, UNESCO does a lot to preserve important parts of different cultures. For those who love to travel, the chance to see incredible monuments and areas at the best is often thanks to UNESCO.

What is a UNESCO Geopark?

With the official title of UNESCO Global Geoparks, these are outstanding geological sites.

The new label was created in November of 2015, and supports the work of the Global Geoparks Network. GGN aim to conserve the earth’s geological heritage and promote sustainable research/development in the local communities.

UNSECO describe Geoparks as: single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

There are now more than 145 UNESCO Geoparks worldwide. They can be found in 41 countries across 5 continents. The sites give local people a sense of pride in their region, and often serve to create jobs and training courses in the area which are incredible beneficial to the community. These opportunities are generated thanks to the rise in geotourism.

What is Geotourism?

Geotourism is described by National Geographic as tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.

In a basic sense, geotourism means that visiting a geological site is the most important part of the trip. That’s why a visit to a UNESCO Geopark is an example of participating in geotourism.

There are many benefits to geotourism. As mentioned above, it supports the local community economically – by utilising their workforce, products, supplies and services. It also educates visitors, and allows residents to discover or rediscover their own heritage by sharing it with others. The incredible experiences that geotourists have when visiting new locations become stories that they will remember (and share) forever – in turn, this attracts further tourists to these incredible destinations.

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What is the criteria for a UNESCO Geopark to be awarded the title?

There is a set of criteria that must be met for a geopark to be given the title and included in UNSECO’s list:

the existence of a management plan designed to foster socio-economic development that is sustainable (most likely to be based on agritourism and geotourism)
demonstrate methods for conserving and enhancing geological heritage and provide means for teaching geoscientific disciplines and broader environmental issues
joint-proposals submitted by public authorities, local communities and private interests acting together, which demonstrate the best practices with respect to Earth heritage conservation and its integration into sustainable development strategies

These criteria are evaluated on an ongoing basis. The Geoparks Committee host an International Conference on Geoparks every two years; the geoparks and their adherence with the criteria at that time are discussed.

These conferences were first held in different cities around the world – Beijing, Osnabrück, Langkawi. The conferences are now held at a different UNSECO Geopark each year: Stonehammer in New Brunswick and Adamello Brenta in Trentina, Italy, have hosted in the past.

List of UNESCO Geoparks

Here is a list of all of the areas that have been awarded Geopark status:

Austria

Ore of the Alps
Styrian Eisenwurzen
Karawanken / Karavanke (Austria and Slovenia)

Belgium

Famenne-Ardenne

Brazil

Araripe

Canada

Percé
Stonehammer
Tumbler Ridge

Chile

Kütralkura

China

Alxa Desert
Arxan
Dali-Cangshan
Danxiashan
Dunhuang
Fangshan
Funiushan
Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe
Hexigten
Hong Kong
Huanggang Dabieshan
Huangshan
Jingpohu
Jiuhuashan
Keketuohai
Leiqiong
Leye Fengshan
Longhushan
Lushan
Mount Kunlun
Ningde
Qinling Zhongnanshan
Sanqingshan
Shennongjia
Shilin
Songshan
Taining
Taishan
Tianzhushan
Wangwushan-Daimeishan
Wudalianchi
Xingwen
Yandangshan
Yanqing
Yimengshan
Yuntaishan
Zhangjiajie
Zhijindong Cave
Zigong

Croatia

Papuk
Vis Archipelago

Cyprus

Troodos

Czechia

Bohemian Paradise

Denmark

Odsherred

Ecuador

Imbabura

Finland

Rokua

France

Beaujolais
Causses du Quercy
Chablais
Haute-Provence
Luberon
Massif des Bauges
Monts d’Ardèche

Germany

Bergstraße-Odenwald
Harz, Braunschweiger Land
Swabian Alb
TERRA.vita
Vulkaneifel
Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa (Germany and Poland)

Greece

Chelmos Vouraikos
Lesvos Island
Psiloritis
Sitia
Vikos – Aoos

Hungary

Bakony-Balaton
Novohrad-Nógrád (Hungary and Slovakia)

Iceland

Katla
Reykjanes

Indonesia

Batur
Ciletuh – Palabuhanratu
Gunung Sewu
Rinjani-Lombok

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Qeshm Island

Ireland

Burren & Cliffs of Moher
Copper Coast
Marble Arch Caves (Ireland & United Kingdom)

Italy

Adamello-Brenta
Alpi Apuani
Beigua
Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni
Madonie
Parco Geominerario della Sardegna
Pollino
Sesia Val Grande
Rocca di Cerere
Tuscan Mining Park

Japan

Aso
Itoigawa
Izu Peninsula
Mt. Apoi
Muroto
Oki Islands
San’in Kaigan
Toya – Usu
Unzen Volcanic Area

Malaysia

Langkawi

Mexico

Comarca Minera, Hidalgo
Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca (Check out this amazing guide on Oaxaca – how to plan your trip to paradise)

Morocco

M’Goun

Netherlands

De Hondsrug

Norway

Gea Norvegica
Magma
Trollfjell

Peru

Colca y Volcanes de Andagua

Poland

Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa (Germany and Poland)

Portugal

Açores
Arouca
Naturtejo da Meseta Meridional
Terras de Cavaleiros

Republic of Korea

Cheongsong
Jeju Island
Mudeungsan

Romania

Haţeg

Slovakia

Novohrad-Nógrád (Hungary and Slovakia)

Slovenia

Idrija
Karawanken / Karavanke (Austria and Slovenia)

Spain

Basque Coast
Cabo de Gata-Níjar
Central Catalonia
Conca de Tremp-Montsec
Courel Mountains
El Hierro
Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands
Las Loras
Molina & Alto Tajo
Sierra Norte de Sevilla
Sierras Subbéticas
Sobrarbe-Pirineos
Villuercas Ibores Jara

Tanzania

Ngorongoro Lengai

Thailand

Satun

Turkey

Kula Volcanic

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

English Riviera
Fforest Fawr
GeoMôn
North Pennines AONB
North-West Highlands
Shetland
Marble Arch Caves (Ireland & United Kingdom)

Uruguay

Grutas del Palacio

Vietnam

Dong Van Karst Plateau
Non nuoc Cao Bang

Why should you visit a UNESCO Geopark?

If you are interested in nature and scenery, visiting a UNESCO Geopark is a great idea. Many geoparks lie not far from bustling cities, so they offer a lovely escape from high-rises and busy cobbled streets. Fresh air, fantastic photo opportunities and breathtaking views are just some of the reasons to visit a geopark.

Visiting a UNESCO Geopark is also a great way to give back to the local community. As discussed earlier, they provide a much-needed boost to many local economies. Tourists’ money helps to protect and preserve these incredible geological sites, by funding the management and conservation efforts. So by enjoying them, you are helping to ensure that they can also be enjoyed by others for generations to come.

As UNESCO themselves say, Geoparks are “about reconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how our planet and its 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our societies”.

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5 of the best UNESCO Geoparks

While you can see the full list of geoparks above, there are so many to choose from. They are all beautiful and have different things to offer; if you are trying to decide which UNESCO Geopark (or parks!) to add to your bucket list, here are 4 of the best…

Jeju Island

There is so much to see on the beautiful Jeju island. With hiking trails, stunning beaches, museums, caves, theme parks and more, Jeju is perfect for a few days of exploring or a much longer stay. The scenery is incredible and you’ll never get bored on the island.

Psiloritis

In Crete you’ll find Mount Ida, also known as Psiloritis which is the name of UNESCO Geopark itself. Technically it is the park where the mountain (Greece’s highest) is found. Mount Ida itself is beautiful, with stunning views and brilliant hikes as well as caves to explore under bright blue skies. If you are an adventure-lover, this is a great geopark for you!

Yellow Mountains

The Yellow Mountains, also known as Huangshan is a beautiful mountainous area in Anhui province in China. These mountains offer picturesque scenery and are especially famous for the ‘sea of clouds’.

Reykjanes

This Icelandic peninsula is one of the best areas in the country. Offering the chance to see the famous Northern Lights, it is the only place in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible above sea level. It has diversity in its volcanic and geothermal activity. The peninsula has museums to explore, restaurants to eat in and photographs to be taken.

Qeshm Island

Iran’s largest island, Qeshm is home to beaches, castles and stunning valleys that all serve to attract tourists. With a population of just over 100,000 people, the local economy gets a great boost from being a UNESCO Geopark and drawing in those interested in geotourism. It is an amazing island with so many natural beauty spots to discover.

UNESCO Geopark: To conclude

As you have learnt, there are many areas that have been awarded UNESCO Geopark status around the world- from Iceland to China and everywhere in between! UNESCO Geoparks are a great way to protect and preserve an area and is a great example of sustainable tourism.