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

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дггнндо 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:

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

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Map
Geoparks in Africa

Canary Islands (Spain)

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
1 El Hierro UNESCO Global GeoparkCanary Islands5952014
2 Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands UNESCO Global GeoparkCanary Islands25002015

Morocco

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
1 M'Goun UNESCO Global GeoparkHigh Atlas, Drâa-Tafilalet57302014

Tanzania

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
2 Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global GeoparkNortheast Tanzania118862018

Asia

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China

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
1 Alxa Desert UNESCO Global GeoparkInner Mongolia630.372009
2 Arxan UNESCO Global GeoparkInner Mongolia3653.212017
3 Dali-Cangshan UNESCO Global GeoparkYunnan9332014
4 Danxiashan UNESCO Global GeoparkYunnan9332014
5 Dunhuang UNESCO Global GeoparkGansu20672015
6 Fangshan UNESCO Global GeoparkBeijing, Hebei9542006
7 Funiushan UNESCO Global GeoparkHenan15222006
8 Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global GeoparkSichuan18182018
9 Hexigten UNESCO Global GeoparkInner Mongolia17502005
10 Hong Kong UNESCO Global GeoparkHong Kong1502011
11 Huanggang Dabieshan UNESCO Global GeoparkHubei2625.542018
12 Huangshan UNESCO Global GeoparkAnhui160.62004
13 Jingpohu UNESCO Global GeoparkShandong14002006
14 Jiuhuashan UNESCO Global GeoparkAnhui139.72019
15 Keketuohai UNESCO Global GeoparkXinjiang2337.92017
16 Leiqiong UNESCO Global GeoparkHainan30502006
17 Leye Fengshan UNESCO Global GeoparkGuangxi9302010
18 Longhushuan UNESCO Global GeoparkJiangxi996.632008
19 Lushan UNESCO Global GeoparkJiangxi5002004
20 Mount Kunlun UNESCO Global GeoparkQinghai70332014
21 Ningde UNESCO Global GeoparkFujian2660.342010
22 Qinling Zhongnanshan UNESCO Global GeoparkShaanxi1074.852009
23 Sanqingshan UNESCO Global GeoparkHubei229.52012
24 Shennongjia UNESCO Global GeoparkQinghai1022.722013
25 Shilin UNESCO Global GeoparkYunnan3502004
26 Songshan UNESCO Global GeoparkHenan4642004
27 Taining UNESCO Global GeoparkFujian3502004
28 Taishan UNESCO Global GeoparkShandong158.632006
29 Tianzhusan UNESCO Global GeoparkAnhui413.42011
30 Wangwushan-Daimeishan UNESCO Global GeoparkHenan9862006
31 Wudalianchi UNESCO Global GeoparkHeilongjiang7202004
32 Xingwen UNESCO Global GeoparkSichuan1562005
33 Yandangshan UNESCO Global GeoparkZhejiang298.82005
34 Yanqing UNESCO Global GeoparkBeijing620.382013
35 Yimengshan UNESCO Global GeoparkShandong1804.762009
36 Yuntaishan UNESCO Global GeoparkHenan5562004
37 Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global GeoparkHunan3982004
38 Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global GeoparkGuizhou1742015
39 Zigong UNESCO Global GeoparkSichuan1630.462008

Indonesia

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
40 Batur UNESCO Global GeoparkBali370.52012
41 Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global GeoparkPelabuhan Ratu12602018
42 Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global GeoparkGunung Kidul, Wonogiri, Tulungagung18022015
43 Rinjani-Lombok UNESCO Global GeoparkLombok28002018
44 Belitong UNESCO Global GeoparkBelitung228862021
45 Toba Caldera UNESCO Global GeoparkLake Toba--

Iran

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
46 Qeshm Island UNESCO Global GeoparkHormozgan20632017

Japan

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
47 Aso UNESCO Global GeoparkKumamoto11982014
48 Itoigawa UNESCO Global GeoparkNiigata7502009
49 Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global GeoparkShizuoka20272018
50 Mt. Apoi UNESCO Global GeoparkHidaka364.32015
51 Muroto UNESCO Global GeoparkKōchi248.22011
52 Oki Islands UNESCO Global GeoparkShimane673.52013
53 San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global GeoparkKyoto, Shin'onsen, Tottori24582010
54 Toya-Usu UNESCO Global GeoparkDate and others11812009
55 Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global GeoparkNagasaki459.522009

Malaysia

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
56 Langkawi UNESCO Global GeoparkWest Coast, Langkawi4782015

South Korea

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
57 Cheongsong UNESCO Global GeoparkGyeongbuk845.712017
58 Jeju Island UNESCO Global GeoparkJeollanam-do18472010
59 Mudeungsan UNESCO Global GeoparkJeollanam-do10512018

Thailand

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
60 Satun UNESCO Global GeoparkSouthern Thailand, Satun25972018

Vietnam

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
61 Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global GeoparkNorthern Vietnam, Hà Giang23562015
62 Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global GeoparkNorthern Vietnam, Cao Bằng30002018

Europe

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Map
Geoparks in Europe

Austria

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
3 Steirische Eisenwurzen UNESCO Global GeoparkStyria5862004
4 Karavanke/Karawanken UNESCO Global GeoparkStyria, Upper Carniola10672013
5 Erz der Alpen UNESCO Global GeoparkSalzburg2112014

Belgium

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
6 Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global GeoparkWallonia9152018

Croatia

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
7 Papuk UNESCO Global GeoparkPožega-Slavonia5242007
8 Vis Archipelago UNESCO Global GeoparkSplit-Dalmatia66612019

Cyprus

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
9 Troodos UNESCO Global GeoparkLimassol11472015

Czechia

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
10 Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Global GeoparkHradec Králové7422005

Denmark

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
11 Odsherred UNESCO Global GeoparkSjælland3552014

Finland

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
12 Rokua UNESCO Global GeoparkVaala13262010

France

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
13 Haute-Provence UNESCO Global GeoparkProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur23002000
14 Luberon UNESCO Global GeoparkProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur19532004
15 Massif des Bauges UNESCO Global GeoparkAuvergne-Rhone-Alpes8562011
16 Chablais UNESCO Global GeoparkAuvergne-Rhone-Alpes8722012
17 Monts d’Ardèche UNESCO Global GeoparkAuvergne-Rhone-Alpes22802014
18 Causses du Quercy UNESCO Global GeoparkOccitanie18552017
19 Beaujolais UNESCO Global GeoparkAuvergne-Rhone-Alpes15502018

Germany

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
20 Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global GeoparkRhineland-Palatinate12202000
21 TERRA.Vita UNESCO Global GeoparkLower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphaila15602001
22 Bergstrasse-Odenwald UNESCO Global GeoparkBavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse35002004
23 Swabian Alps UNESCO Global GeoparkBaden-Württemberg66882004
24 Harz - Braunschweiger Land - Ostfalen UNESCO Global GeoparkLower Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt115002004
25 Muskau Arch UNESCO Global GeoparkBrandenburg, Saxony, Lubusz578.82011

Greece

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
26 Lesvos Island UNESCO Global GeoparkNorth Aegean16362000
27 Psiloritis UNESCO Global GeoparkCrete11592001
28 Chelmos – Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark Achaea6472009
29 Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark Crete5172015
30 Vikos-Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark Western Macedonia, Epirus12002010

Hungary

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
31 Bakony-Balaton UNESCO Global GeoparkVeszprém32442012
32 Novohrad – Nograd UNESCO Global GeoparkNógrád, Banská Bystrica Region15872010

Iceland

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
33 Katla UNESCO Global GeoparkSouth Constituency95422011
34 Reykjanes UNESCO Global GeoparkSouthern Peninsula8252015

Ireland

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
35 Copper Coast UNESCO Global GeoparkWaterford502001
36 Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global GeoparkUlster1802001
37 Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global GeoparkUlster5302011

Italy

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
38 Madonie UNESCO Global GeoparkSicily4002004
39 Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global GeoparkSicily12982008
40 Beigua UNESCO Global GeoparkLiguria3922005
41 Adamello-Brenta UNESCO Global GeoparkTrentino11882008
42 Cilento e Vallo di Diano UNESCO Global GeoparkCampania18412010
43 Tuscan Mining Park UNESCO Global GeoparkTuscany10872010
44 Apuan Alps UNESCO Global GeoparkTuscany4942011
45 Sesia - Val Grande UNESCO Global GeoparkPiedmont20232013
46 Pollino UNESCO Global GeoparkBasilicata, Calabria19252015

Netherlands

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
47 Hondsrug UNESCO Global GeoparkDrenthe10002013

Norway

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
48 Gea Norvegica UNESCO Global GeoparkTelemark, Vestfold30002006
49 Magma UNESCO Global GeoparkVestlandet, Sørlandet30002006
50 Trollfjell UNESCO Global GeoparkTrøndelag100822019

Poland

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
51 Muskau Arch UNESCO Global GeoparkBrandenburg, Saxony, Lubusz578.82011

Portugal

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
52 Naturtejo UNESCO Global GeoparkCentro4624.42006
53 Arouca UNESCO Global GeoparkNorte3272009
54 Azores UNESCO Global GeoparkAzores128842013
55 Terras de Cavaleiros UNESCO Global GeoparkNorte7002014

Romania

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
56 Hateg Country Dinosaurs UNESCO Global GeoparkHunedoara10242005

Slovakia

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
57 Novohrad – Nograd UNESCO Global GeoparkNógrád, Banská Bystrica Region15872010

Slovenia

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
58 Karavanke/Karawanken UNESCO Global GeoparkStyria, Upper Carniola10672013
59 Idrija UNESCO Global GeoparkGorizia2942013

Spain

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
60 Cabo de Gata - Níjar UNESCO Global GeoparkAndalusia5002006
61 Sierras Subbéticas UNESCO Global GeoparkAndalusia3202006
62 Sobrarbe UNESCO Global GeoparkAragon22022006
63 Sierra Norte de Sevilla UNESCO Global GeoparkAndalusia1774.842011
64 Basque Coast UNESCO Global GeoparkBasque Country892010
65 Villuercas-Ibores-Jara UNESCO Global GeoparkExtremadura2544.42011
66 Central Catalunya UNESCO Global GeoparkCatalonia13002012
67 Molina and Alto Tajo UNESCO Global GeoparkCastile-La Mancha45202014
68 Las Loras UNESCO Global GeoparkCastile - León950.762017
69 Conca de Tremp–Montsec UNESCO Global GeoparkCatalonia20502018
70 Courel Mountain UNESCO Global GeoparkGalicia577.852019

Turkey

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
71 Kula Volcanic UNESCO Global GeoparkKula3002013

United Kingdom

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
72 Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global GeoparkUlster1802001
73 North Pennines UNESCO Global GeoparkNorth East England19382004
74 North West Highlands UNESCO Global GeoparkScottish Highlands21002004
75 Shetland UNESCO Global GeoparkShetland14682009
76 Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global GeoparkWales7632005
77 GeoMôn UNESCO Global GeoparkWales18002009
78 English Riviera UNESCO Global GeoparkDevon1042007

North America

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Map
Geoparks in North America

Canada

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
1 Percé UNESCO Global GeoparkQuebec5552018
2 Stonehammer UNESCO Global GeoparkNew Brunswick25002010
3 Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global GeoparkBritish Columbia78222014

Mexico

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
1 Comarca Minera UNESCO Global GeoparkHidalgo18482017
2 Mixteca Alta UNESCO Global GeoparkOaxaca415,42017


South America

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Map
Geoparks in South America


Brazil

[edit]
Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
3 Araripe UNESCO Global GeoparkNortheast34412006

Chile

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
4 Kütralküra UNESCO Global GeoparkAraucanía80532019

Ecuador

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
5 Imbabura UNESCO Global GeoparkAndean Highlands, Imbabura4794,342019

Peru

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
6 Colca y Volcanes de Andagua UNESCO Global GeoparkSouthern Coast, Arequipa6010.92019

Uruguay

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Official nameLocationArea
(km2)
YearGeodiversity
7 Grutas del Palacio UNESCO Global GeoparkCentral Interior, Flores36112013
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