Travellers interested in deep dives into geology, culture and sustainability have several new destinations to place on their bucket lists. Unesco just announced the designation of 18 new Global Geoparks, bringing the total to 213 sites representing 48 countries around the world.
From crystal-clear karst lakes to an archipelago formed during the last ice age, these parks are more than just sites with unique geological features; they also serve to highlight a particular region’s natural, cultural and intangible heritage. “Unesco Global Geoparks represent landscapes where internationally significant geological heritage intertwines with human history and supports rich biodiversity,” explains António Abreu, director of the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences at Unesco. “Each new geopark tells a unique story, using geology as its lens.”
Here are five of the newest geoparks on Unesco’s list:
Daniel Vitor TeodoroMore than 10,000 fossils, and 38 hectares of preserved forest can be found in the newly created Uberaba geopark (Credit: Daniel Vitor Teodoro)
Uberaba, Brazil
Known as the “Land of the Giants” because of the rich palaeontological heritage found here, this new geopark includes the south-east Brazilian city of Uberaba. It contains impressive geological formations, including the Serra da Galga and Serra Geral mountain ranges, which were formed by basalt flows and tell the story of ancient volcanic eruptions. There are also more than 10,000 fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric lifeforms here, and a 19th-Century farming tradition – using a unique cattle breed that produces lower CO2 emissions – contributes to the area’s ecological preservation.
Several themed “routes” or suggested itineraries allow visitors to experience the area’s unique geological and cultural features. A museums route directs visitors to sites such as Uberaba’s Paleontological Research Centre and Dinosaur Museum, and a “geosites” route highlights locations like the Vale Encantado (Enchanted Valley), a preserve which protects 38 hectares of forest, waterfalls and prehistoric rock formations. For more adventurous visitors, several hiking trails lead from outside the city directly through the Serra Geral National Park. Now part of the larger geopark, this mountainous region allows hikers to immerse themselves in the local ecosystem.
Biokovo Imotski Lakes GeoparkImotski’s famous karst lakes were formed from a pre-historic cavern collapse (Credit: Biokovo Imotski Lakes Geopark)
Biokovo-Imotski Lakes, Croatia
Two distinct and unique geological formations make up the Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark in southern Croatia. The first is Biokovo mountain range, accessible via the popular Biokovo Nature Park, which offers myriad outdoor attractions, including educational nature walks, mountain lookouts and even a botanical garden highlighting the flora found on these coastal mountain slopes. Here, the third-highest peak in the country, St George Peak, towers 1,762m above the sea.
The second formations can be found in the stunning blue waters of the nearby Red and Blue Lakes at Imotski, a small town in the region. Set at the bottom of Europe’s deepest karst lake crater, Red Lake is named for the reddish colour of the iron oxide-tinted cliffs that surround it, while Blue Lake is named for its incredibly blue waters, fed by snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. However, while Blue Lake is readily accessible to visitors interested in swimming and other aquatic activities, Red Lake is harder to reach due to its location at the bottom of a 500m-deep cavern.
There are also man-made sites to explore, including several medieval tombstones and the modern-day glass skywalk in Ravna Vlaška – an area of the park with vistas over nearby towns, mountains and the Adriatic Sea.
Chris KaragkelisThe monasteries at Meteora Pyli were already designated Unesco World Heritage sites. The new designation will preserve the surrounding landscape as well (Credit: Chris Karagkelis)
Meteora Pyli, Greece
Meteora Pyli, located in Greece’s Thessaly region, bills itself as “a journey through space, time and geology”, and it’s no wonder, as many of its sites seem to seamlessly blend nature and culture. For example, the towering sandstone columns of Meteroa, some reaching as high as 300m, serve as perches for Byzantine-era monasteries built between 1200 and 1600 CE. Although this famed site had already received Unesco World Heritage status in 1988, the new geopark designation includes nearby geological wonders such as the Tafoni formations of Kalambaka, known for their honeycomb-like erosion patterns, and the varied biosphere of the Pindos Mountains, a favourite of hikers.
“The visitor can feel a unique experience in our region,” said Eleftherios Avramopoulos, Mayor of Meteora. “Especially due to the unique routes to the sacred rocks of Meteora and the villages hidden in the rich fauna of the Pindos Mountains.”
Longyan aUGGpLongyan geopark helps preserve the living traditions of the Hakka culture as well as several endemic species (Credit: Longyan aUGGp)
Longyan, China
Considered the centre of China’s Hakka culture, the city of Longyan in Fujian Province is known for its distinctive roundhouse-style buildings and compact cobblestone streets. The Hakka people who live in this area still hold onto unique traditions, such as the You Da Long festival, in which locals perform a dance in a large dragon formation, and Zou Gu Shi festival, a local carnival featuring woodblock printing and the wearing of traditional clothing. In addition to the cultural and architectural history, the geopark also extends to the natural forest which surrounds the city, the densest forest in western Fujian.
The new designation will help to protect the many endemic plant and animal species found here, including the Chinese yew tree and the South China tiger, all in the shadow of Meihuashan Mountain, known as the “Mother Mountain of the Fujian Province”.
Mikkel JezequelVisitors can explore the landscape of the South Fyn Archipelago by land or by sea (Credit: Mikkel Jezequel)
South Fyn Archipelago, Denmark
The South Fyn Archipelago is an example of what’s called a “drowned” ice age landscape, created by the dramatic rise in global water levels more than 10,000 years ago. Sometimes called “The Garden of Denmark” for its long history as an agricultural site, it encompasses around 55 islands and islets nestled in some of the best sailing waters in the world. Visitors can island hop across the archipelago by sailboat or go diving to experience the endangered marine ecosystem. On land there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, exploring and supporting the network of small local farms by sampling local produce.
“Unesco only designates geoparks to the list after very careful consideration and evaluation of all perspectives,” said Elsebeth Gerner Nielsen, chair of the Danish Unesco National Commission. “When the South Fyn Archipelago makes it through the eye of the needle, it means that the area can enlighten us about both the past and the future. It gives hope and is a fantastic example to follow.”
47 comments
Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your website is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect website.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really good posts and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested. Many thanks!
I’m often to blogging and i actually respect your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for brand new information.
I dugg some of you post as I thought they were extremely helpful very helpful
of course like your website but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to inform the truth on the other hand I¦ll certainly come back again.
What is ProvaDent? ProvaDent is a cutting-edge dental support supplement crafted by Adem Naturals. It integrates the BioFresh™ Clean Complex and a sophisticated oral probiotic complex to rejuvenate the oral microbiome.
Nearly all of whatever you state happens to be astonishingly appropriate and that makes me ponder the reason why I had not looked at this with this light previously. This article truly did switch the light on for me as far as this subject matter goes. However there is actually one particular issue I am not necessarily too cozy with so while I attempt to reconcile that with the actual central idea of the position, permit me see what all the rest of your readers have to say.Very well done.
I like this web site its a master peace ! Glad I noticed this on google .
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
I in finding this matter to be actually something that I believe I would by no
means understand. It sort of feels too complex and very huge for me.
I’m looking ahead on your next publish, I’ll attempt to get the hold of it!
Escape roomy lista
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thank you!
Really wonderful information can be found on website.!
I like the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great content.
You made some good points there. I looked on the internet to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
You’re so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through anything like this before. So great to find someone with some genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the web, someone with some originality.
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it.
You’re so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through something like that before. So nice to find another person with genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.
You are my breathing in, I own few blogs and sometimes run out from to post .
Thanks a lot for giving everyone such a spectacular chance to read from here. It is usually so beneficial and stuffed with amusement for me and my office acquaintances to visit your website on the least thrice weekly to find out the latest secrets you will have. Of course, I’m also at all times amazed with the stunning strategies served by you. Selected 1 tips in this posting are in fact the most suitable we have ever had.
Good post. I be taught something more challenging on totally different blogs everyday. It is going to at all times be stimulating to read content material from different writers and observe somewhat something from their store. I’d desire to use some with the content material on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink on your net blog. Thanks for sharing.
After looking at a handful of the blog posts on your website, I honestly appreciate your technique of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site as well and let me know how you feel.
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back later on. I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice day!
You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really one thing which I believe I might never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely wide for me. I am taking a look ahead to your next post, I¦ll attempt to get the hold of it!
You have mentioned very interesting details! ps nice site.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often.
Saved as a favorite, I love your site!
Everything is very open with a really clear clarification of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing.
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Great site. Plenty of helpful info here. I?¦m sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks to your effort!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest of the website is really good.
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
Howdy! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have here on this post. I will be returning to your web site for more soon.
Howdy! This article could not be written much better! Looking at this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he will have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!
Good info. Lucky me I found your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later.
Some genuinely nice and useful information on this internet site, also I think the design holds fantastic features.
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
I like it when individuals get together and share views. Great blog, continue the good work.
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover someone that actually knows what they’re discussing online. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should read this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you surely possess the gift.
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks.
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Many thanks! Where can I find the contact details for questions?
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this issue here on your internet site.
You made some good points there. I checked on the net to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the highest quality websites online. I most certainly will highly recommend this blog!
Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this web site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info.