Unesco announces its newest geoparks around the world
Unesco recently unveiled 18 new Global Geoparks, expanding the total count to 213 sites across 48 countries worldwide. These additions offer travelers with interests in geology, culture, and sustainability fresh destinations to add to their bucket lists.
These newly designated geoparks showcase a diverse range of natural wonders, from dinosaur fossils in Brazil to the majestic monasteries of Meteora. Beyond their geological significance, these parks also spotlight the intertwined natural, cultural, and intangible heritage of their respective regions.
According to António Abreu, director of Unesco's Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, Unesco Global Geoparks encapsulate landscapes where significant geological heritage converges with human history and supports vibrant biodiversity. Each geopark tells a distinctive narrative, utilizing geology as a focal point through which to explore the region's unique story.
Here are five of the newest geoparks on Unesco's list:
1. Uberaba, Brazil
Dubbed the "Land of the Giants" due to its abundant palaeontological treasures, this newly designated geopark encompasses the southeastern Brazilian city of Uberaba. It boasts remarkable geological formations, including the Serra da Galga and Serra Geral mountain ranges, which bear witness to ancient volcanic activity through their basaltic composition. With over 10,000 fossils of dinosaurs and other ancient organisms, along with a 19th-century farming tradition that promotes ecological preservation through a unique cattle breed emitting lower CO2 emissions, the area offers a rich blend of geological and cultural heritage.
Visitors to the geopark can explore various themed routes tailored to showcase its distinctive geological and cultural attributes. A museums route guides visitors to notable sites such as Uberaba's Paleontological Research Centre and Dinosaur Museum, while a geosites route highlights natural wonders like the Vale Encantado (Enchanted Valley) reserve, home to 38 hectares of forest, waterfalls, and ancient rock formations. For the more adventurous, hiking trails originating from outside the city provide direct access to the Serra Geral National Park, allowing hikers to fully immerse themselves in the local ecosystem.
2. Biokovo-Imotski Lakes, Croatia
The Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark in southern Croatia showcases two distinct geological marvels. Firstly, the Biokovo mountain range, accessible via the Biokovo Nature Park, offers a range of outdoor activities such as nature walks and stunning viewpoints from its third-highest peak, St George Peak.
Secondly, the Imotski Lakes, including the Red and Blue Lakes, are located nearby. Red Lake, nestled within Europe's deepest karst lake crater, gets its name from the reddish cliffs surrounding it due to iron oxide, while Blue Lake boasts vibrant blue waters from mountain snowmelt. While Blue Lake is easily accessible for swimming and water sports, reaching Red Lake is more challenging due to its location at the bottom of a 500-meter-deep cavern.
3. Meteora Pyli, Greece
Meteora Pyli, situated in Greece's Thessaly region, offers a captivating blend of nature and culture, earning its reputation as "a journey through space, time, and geology." The majestic sandstone columns of Meteora, some towering up to 300 meters, provide a striking backdrop for Byzantine-era monasteries constructed between the 12th and 16th centuries CE.
While this renowned site gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1988, its new designation as a geopark encompasses additional geological marvels nearby, such as the intricate Tafoni formations of Kalambaka, characterized by their honeycomb-like erosion patterns, and the diverse ecosystem of the Pindos Mountains, cherished by hikers.
According to Eleftherios Avramopoulos, Mayor of Meteora, visitors can embark on a unique journey in the region, exploring the sacred rocks of Meteora through distinctive routes and discovering hidden villages nestled amidst the abundant fauna of the Pindos Mountains.
4. Longyan, China
Longyan, located in Fujian Province, serves as the heart of China's Hakka culture, renowned for its unique roundhouse-style buildings and charming cobblestone streets. The Hakka community, deeply rooted in the area, celebrates its distinctive traditions through events like the You Da Long festival, featuring a dragon dance, and the Zou Gu Shi festival, showcasing woodblock printing and traditional attire.
Beyond its cultural and architectural heritage, Longyan's geopark encompasses the lush natural forests surrounding the city, the densest in western Fujian. This designation aims to safeguard the region's rich biodiversity, including endemic species like the Chinese yew tree and the South China tiger, against the backdrop of Meihuashan Mountain, revered as the "Mother Mountain of Fujian Province".
5. South Fyn Archipelago, Denmark
The South Fyn Archipelago exemplifies a "drowned" ice age landscape, formed by the significant rise in global sea levels over 10,000 years ago. Dubbed "The Garden of Denmark" due to its agricultural heritage, it comprises approximately 55 islands and islets situated in prime sailing waters. Visitors can embark on island-hopping adventures via sailboat or explore the endangered marine ecosystem through diving. On land, hiking and exploration opportunities abound, with opportunities to support local farms by sampling their produce.
According to Elsebeth Gerner Nielsen, chair of the Danish Unesco National Commission, the designation of the South Fyn Archipelago as a geopark by UNESCO is the result of meticulous evaluation and consideration from various perspectives. She emphasizes that this recognition signifies the area's ability to provide insights into both the past and the future, offering hope and serving as an exemplary model for others to follow.
