UNESCO Global Geoparks Network - UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

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

Geoparks 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 Program: 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, 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

8°0′0″N 17°0′0″E

Geoparks in Africa

Canary Islands (Spain)

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
27.725556-18.0241671 El Hierro UNESCO Global Geopark	Canary Islands	595	2014
29.05-13.62 Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands UNESCO Global Geopark	Canary Islands	2500	2015

Morocco

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
31.5-6.451 M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark	High Atlas, Drâa-Tafilalet	5730	2014

Tanzania

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
-1.67861136.6094442 Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark	Northeast Tanzania	11886	2018

Asia

40°0′0″N 100°0′0″E

Geoparks in Asia

China

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
38.856944105.7297221 Alxa Desert UNESCO Global Geopark	Inner Mongolia	630.37	2009
47.174167119.9388892 Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark	Inner Mongolia	3653.21	2017
25.78100.73 Dali-Cangshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Yunnan	933	2014
25.040278113.7377784 Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark	Yunnan	933	2014
40.23305692.8833335 Dunhuang UNESCO Global Geopark	Gansu	2067	2015
39.73305115.9172226 Fangshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Beijing, Hebei	954	2006
33.435112.1813897 Funiushan UNESCO Global Geopark	Henan	1522	2006
32.311667106.6363898 Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark	Sichuan	1818	2018
43.24694117.5033339 Hexigten UNESCO Global Geopark	Inner Mongolia	1750	2005
22.363889114.37510 Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark	Hong Kong	150	2011
30.729444115.05361111 Huanggang Dabieshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Hubei	2625.54	2018
29.69055118.32611112 Huangshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Anhui	160.6	2004
43.973056129.03444413 Jingpohu UNESCO Global Geopark	Shandong	1400	2006
30.433255117.8329714 Jiuhuashan UNESCO Global Geopark	Anhui	139.7	2019
47.31805690.02638915 Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark	Xinjiang	2337.9	2017
19.943611110.21083316 Leiqiong UNESCO Global Geopark	Hainan	3050	2006
24.569722106.74055617 Leye Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Guangxi	930	2010
28.101111116.96583318 Longhushuan UNESCO Global Geopark	Jiangxi	996.63	2008
29.558333115.98583319 Lushan UNESCO Global Geopark	Jiangxi	500	2004
35.8294.8820 Mount Kunlun UNESCO Global Geopark	Qinghai	7033	2014
26.661389119.52638921 Ningde UNESCO Global Geopark	Fujian	2660.34	2010
33.851389108.78361122 Qinling Zhongnanshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Shaanxi	1074.85	2009
28.806111117.97222223 Sanqingshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Hubei	229.5	2012
31.745278110.68111124 Shennongjia UNESCO Global Geopark	Qinghai	1022.72	2013
24.755556103.27972225 Shilin UNESCO Global Geopark	Yunnan	350	2004
34.489444112.92083326 Songshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Henan	464	2004
26.898611117.17666727 Taining UNESCO Global Geopark	Fujian	350	2004
36.266944117.07111128 Taishan UNESCO Global Geopark	Shandong	158.63	2006
30.524444117.05861129 Tianzhusan UNESCO Global Geopark	Anhui	413.4	2011
35.265833112.57138930 Wangwushan-Daimeishan UNESCO Global Geopark	Henan	986	2006
48.481944126.20277831 Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark	Heilongjiang	720	2004
28.309722105.05527832 Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark	Sichuan	156	2005
28.351944121.09444433 Yandangshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Zhejiang	298.8	2005
40.714722116.434 Yanqing UNESCO Global Geopark	Beijing	620.38	2013
35.516103117.81766535 Yimengshan UNESCO Global Geopark	Shandong	1804.76	2009
35.294722113.24944436 Yuntaishan UNESCO Global Geopark	Henan	556	2004
29.313889110.4437 Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark	Hunan	398	2004
26.75105.93305638 Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark	Guizhou	174	2015
29.324722104.76555639 Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark	Sichuan	1630.46	2008

Indonesia

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
-8.409444115.37540 Batur UNESCO Global Geopark	Bali	370.5	2012
-7.181641106.46213441 Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark	Pelabuhan Ratu	1260	2018
-8.043889110.77611142 Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark	Gunung Kidul, Wonogiri, Tulungagung	1802	2015
-8.576926116.08294343 Rinjani-Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark	Lombok	2800	2018

Iran

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
26.81694455.91055644 Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark	Hormozgan	2063	2017

Japan

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
3213145 Aso UNESCO Global Geopark	Kumamoto	1198	2014
37.831944139.23388946 Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark	Niigata	750	2009
34.855776138.92190547 Izo Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark	Shizuoka	2027	2018
42.107778143.02527848 Mt. Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark	Hidaka	364.3	2015
33.246111134.17722249 Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark	Kōchi	248.2	2011
36.145833133.17194450 Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark	Shimane	673.5	2013
35.6425134.68055651 San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark	Kyoto, Shin'onsen, Tottori	2458	2010
42.591389140.83722252 Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark	Abuta	1181	2009
32.768333130.34472253 Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark	Nagasaki	459.52	2009

Malaysia

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
6.32972299.81555654 Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark	West Coast, Langkawi	478	2015

South Korea

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
36.436111129.05694455 Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark	Gyeongbuk	845.71	2017
33.505518126.52595856 Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark	Jeollanam-do	1847	2010
35.134167126.95555657 Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark	Jeollanam-do	1051	2018

Thailand

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
7.09086199.76839758 Satun UNESCO Global Geopark	Southern Thailand, Satun	2597	2018

Vietnam

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
23.192222105.19694459 Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark	Northern Vietnam, Hà Giang	2356	2015
22.708611106.33194460 Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark	Northern Vietnam, Cao Bằng	3000	2018

Europe

58°0′0″N 22°0′0″E

Geoparks in Europe

Austria

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
47.0715.4908333 Steirische Eisenwurzen UNESCO Global Geopark	Styria	586	2004
46.50416714.77254 Karavanke/Karawanken UNESCO Global Geopark	Styria, Upper Carniola	1067	2013
47.3713.25 Erz der Alpen UNESCO Global Geopark	Salzburg	211	2014

Belgium

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
50.1597225.2222226 Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark	Wallonia	915	2018

Croatia

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
45.45702717.6606917 Papuk UNESCO Global Geopark	Požega-Slavonia	524	2007
43.04563316.0918398 Vis Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark	Split-Dalmatia	6661	2019

Cyprus

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
34.98027832.8461119 Troodos UNESCO Global Geopark	Limassol	1147	2015

Czechia

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
50.59722215.11722210 Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Global Geopark	Hradec Králové	742	2005

Denmark

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
55.8311.5811 Odsherred UNESCO Global Geopark	Sjælland	355	2014

Finland

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
64.57861126.50166712 Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark	Oulu	1326	2010

France

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
44.1086116.28694413 Haute-Provence UNESCO Global Geopark	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur	2300	2000
43.8752785.43555614 Luberon UNESCO Global Geopark	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur	1953	2004
45.68756.10583315 Massif des Bauges UNESCO Global Geopark	Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes	856	2011
46.3480956.59066716 Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark	Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes	872	2012
44.6354.25944417 Monts d’Ardèche UNESCO Global Geopark	Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes	2280	2014
44.5719441.68638918 Causses du Quercy UNESCO Global Geopark	Occitanie	1855	2017
45.9834.7166619 Beaujolais UNESCO Global Geopark	Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes	1550	2018

Germany

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
50.2066676.83611120 Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark	Rhineland-Palatinate	1220	2000
52.2666678.0521 TERRA.Vita UNESCO Global Geopark	Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphaila	1560	2001
49.5363898.56861122 Bergstrasse-Odenwald UNESCO Global Geopark	Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse	3500	2004
48.5166679.40416723 Swabian Alps UNESCO Global Geopark	Baden-Württemberg	6688	2004
52.26805610.832524 Harz - Braunschweiger Land - Ostfalen UNESCO Global Geopark	Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt	11500	2004
51.57027814.72638925 Muskau Arch UNESCO Global Geopark	Brandenburg, Saxony, Lubusz	578.8	2011

Greece

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
39.21166725.85526 Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark	North Aegean	1636	2000
35.29222224.88138927 Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark	Crete	1159	2001
38.14638922.17166728 Chelmos – Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark	Achaea	647	2009
35.16694426.11666729 Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark	Crete	517	2015
40.01722220.71194430 Vikos-Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark	Western Macedonia, Epirus	1200	2010

Hungary

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
46.97638917.92861131 Bakony-Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark	Veszprém	3244	2012
48.16611119.81527832 Novohrad – Nograd UNESCO Global Geopark	Nógrád, Banská Bystrica Region	1587	2010

Iceland

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
63.630556-19.62111133 Katla UNESCO Global Geopark	South Constituency	9542	2011
63.973056-22.51666734 Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark	Southern Peninsula	825	2015

Ireland

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
52.138611-7.34222235 Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark	Waterford	50	2001
54.258611-7.51472236 Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark	Ulster	180	2001
52.996389-9.38916737 Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark	Ulster	530	2011

Italy

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
37.86666714.07888938 Madonie UNESCO Global Geopark	Sicily	400	2004
37.5147214.37805639 Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark	Sicily	1298	2008
44.4277788.58666740 Beigua UNESCO Global Geopark	Liguria	392	2005
46.11916710.75222241 Adamello-Brenta UNESCO Global Geopark	Trentino	1188	2008
40.28055615.372542 Cilento e Vallo di Diano UNESCO Global Geopark	Campania	1841	2010
42.95472210.84222243 Tuscan Mining Park UNESCO Global Geopark	Tuscany	1087	2010
44.04111110.367544 Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark	Tuscany	494	2011
45.9911118.34333345 Sesia - Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark	Piedmont	2023	2013
39.93111116.12611146 Pollino UNESCO Global Geopark	Basilicata, Calabria	1925	2015

Netherlands

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
52.9305566.82527847 Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark	Drenthe	1000	2013

Norway

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
59.1366679.997548 Gea Norvegica UNESCO Global Geopark	Telemark, Vestfold	3000	2006
58.4472226.05222249 Magma UNESCO Global Geopark	Vestlandet, Sørlandet	3000	2006
65.47257212.20839450 Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark	Trøndelag	10082	2019

Poland

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
51.57027814.72638951 Muskau Arch UNESCO Global Geopark	Brandenburg, Saxony, Lubusz	578.8	2011

Portugal

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
39.804444-7.49277852 Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark	Centro	4624.4	2006
40.932222-8.24553 Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark	Norte	327	2009
37.741111-25.67555654 Azores UNESCO Global Geopark	Azores	12884	2013
41.54-6.9755 Terras de Cavaleiros UNESCO Global Geopark	Norte	700	2014

Romania

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
45.607523.37888956 Hateg Country Dinosaurs UNESCO Global Geopark	Hunedoara	1024	2005

Slovakia

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
48.16611119.81527857 Novohrad – Nograd UNESCO Global Geopark	Nógrád, Banská Bystrica Region	1587	2010

Slovenia

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
46.50416714.772558 Karavanke/Karawanken UNESCO Global Geopark	Styria, Upper Carniola	1067	2013
46.00077514.02005259 Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark	Gorizia	294	2013

Spain

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
36.789444-2.23722260 Cabo de Gata - Níjar UNESCO Global Geopark	Andalusia	500	2006
37.247778-4.30666761 Sierras Subbéticas UNESCO Global Geopark	Andalusia	320	2006
42.3686110.17027862 Sobrarbe UNESCO Global Geopark	Aragon	2202	2006
37.712222-5.63444463 Sierra Norte de Sevilla UNESCO Global Geopark	Andalusia	1774.84	2011
43.295833-2.35444464 Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark	Basque Country	89	2010
39.451944-5.327565 Villuercas-Ibores-Jara UNESCO Global Geopark	Extremadura	2544.4	2011
42.4666671.82166766 Central Catalunya UNESCO Global Geopark	Catalonia	1300	2012
39.279444-3.09777867 Molina and Alto Tajo UNESCO Global Geopark	Castile-La Mancha	4520	2014
42.516244-4.01051568 Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark	Castile - León	950.76	2017
42.1667020.89577869 Conca de Tremp–Montsec UNESCO Global Geopark	Catalonia	2050	2018
42.831194-7.48153570 Courel Mountain UNESCO Global Geopark	Galicia	577.85	2019

Turkey

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
38.60944428.47527871 Kula Volcanic UNESCO Global Geopark	Aegean Region	300	2013

United Kingdom

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
54.258611-7.51472272 Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark	Ulster	180	2001
54.788056-2.41694473 North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark	North East England	1938	2004
58.135833-5.25138974 North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark	Scottish Highlands	2100	2004
60.56-1.09861175 Shetland UNESCO Global Geopark	Shetland	1468	2009
51.930833-3.40583376 Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark	Wales	763	2005
53.268889-4.33416777 GeoMôn UNESCO Global Geopark	Wales	1800	2009
50.456111-3.55416778 English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark	Devon	104	2007

North America

51°0′0″N 95°0′0″W

Geoparks in North America

Canada

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year
48.521642-64.2172641 Percé UNESCO Global Geopark	Quebec	555	2018
45.579444-65.5444442 Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark	New Brunswick	2500	2010
54.99-121.383 Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark	British Columbia	7822	2014

Mexico

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
20.143611-98.6738891 Comarca Minera UNESCO Global Geopark	Hidalgo	1848	2017
17.518056-97.3422222 Mixteca Alta UNESCO Global Geopark	Oaxaca	415,4	2017

South America

25°0′0″S 60°0′0″W

Geoparks in South America

Brazil

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
-7.229444-39.4088893 Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark	Northeast	3441	2006

Chile

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
-38.689509-71.6802494 Kütralküra UNESCO Global Geopark	Araucanía	8053	2019

Ecuador

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
0.258307-78.1781965 Imbabura UNESCO Global Geopark	Andean Highlands, Imbabura	4794,34	2019

Peru

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
-15.608575-72.0914966 Colca y Volcanes de Andagua UNESCO Global Geopark	Southern Coast, Arequipa	6010.9	2019

Uruguay

Official name	Location	Area (km²)	Year	Geodiversity
-33.278889-57.1455567 Grutas del Palacio UNESCO Global Geopark	Central Interior, Flores	3611	2013