# 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

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:
* UNESCO World Heritage Sites: promote the conservation of natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value of humanity
* UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme: 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$^{[deadlink]}$, 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
### Canary Islands (Spain)

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 31.5-6.451 M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark | High Atlas, Drâa-Tafilalet | 5730 | 2014 | |

### Tanzania

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| -1.67861136.6094442 Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark | Northeast Tanzania | 11886 | 2018 | |

## Asia
### China

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year |
| 38.856944105.7297221NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE 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 (km$^2$) | Year |
| -8.409444115.37540 Batur UNESCO Global Geopark | Bali | 370.5 | 2012 |
| -7.181641106.46213441NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE 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 |
| -2.861438107.91006244 Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark | Belitung | 22886 | 2021 |
| 2.57431398.80906245 Toba Caldera UNESCO Global Geopark | Lake Toba | - | - |

### Iran

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 26.81694455.91055646 Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark | Hormozgan | 2063 | 2017 | |

### Japan

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year |
| 3213147 Aso UNESCO Global Geopark | Kumamoto | 1198 | 2014 |
| 37.831944139.23388948 Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark | Niigata | 750 | 2009 |
| 34.855776138.92190549 Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark | Shizuoka | 2027 | 2018 |
| 42.107778143.02527850 Mt. Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark | Hidaka | 364.3 | 2015 |
| 33.246111134.17722251 Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark | Kōchi | 248.2 | 2011 |
| 36.145833133.17194452 Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark | Shimane | 673.5 | 2013 |
| 35.6425134.68055653 San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark | Kyoto, Shin'onsen, Tottori | 2458 | 2010 |
| 42.591389140.83722254 Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark | Date and others | 1181 | 2009 |
| 32.768333130.34472255 Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark | Nagasaki | 459.52 | 2009 |

### Malaysia

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 6.32972299.81555656 Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark | West Coast, Langkawi | 478 | 2015 | |

### South Korea

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year |
| 36.436111129.05694457 Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark | Gyeongbuk | 845.71 | 2017 |
| 33.505518126.52595858 Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark | Jeollanam-do | 1847 | 2010 |
| 35.134167126.95555659 Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark | Jeollanam-do | 1051 | 2018 |

### Thailand

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 7.09086199.76839760 Satun UNESCO Global Geopark | Southern Thailand, Satun | 2597 | 2018 | |

### Vietnam

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 23.192222105.19694461 Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark | Northern Vietnam, Hà Giang | 2356 | 2015 | |
| 22.708611106.33194462 Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark | Northern Vietnam, Cao Bằng | 3000 | 2018 | |

## Europe
### Austria

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 50.1597225.2222226 Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark | Wallonia | 915 | 2018 | |

### Croatia

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 34.98027832.8461119 Troodos UNESCO Global Geopark | Limassol | 1147 | 2015 | |

### Czechia

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 50.59722215.11722210 Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Global Geopark | Hradec Králové | 742 | 2005 | |

### Denmark

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 55.8311.5811 Odsherred UNESCO Global Geopark | Sjælland | 355 | 2014 | |

### Finland

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 64.57861126.50166712 Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark | Vaala | 1326 | 2010 | |

### France

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 52.9305566.82527847 Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark | Drenthe | 1000 | 2013 | |

### Norway

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 51.57027814.72638951 Muskau Arch UNESCO Global Geopark | Brandenburg, Saxony, Lubusz | 578.8 | 2011 | |

### Portugal

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 45.607523.37888956 Hateg Country Dinosaurs UNESCO Global Geopark | Hunedoara | 1024 | 2005 | |

### Slovakia

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 48.16611119.81527857 Novohrad – Nograd UNESCO Global Geopark | Nógrád, Banská Bystrica Region | 1587 | 2010 | |

### Slovenia

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 38.60944428.47527871 Kula Volcanic UNESCO Global Geopark | Kula | 300 | 2013 | |

### United Kingdom

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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
### Canada

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | 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
### Brazil

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| -7.229444-39.4088893 Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark | Northeast | 3441 | 2006 | |

### Chile

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| -38.689509-71.6802494 Kütralküra UNESCO Global Geopark | Araucanía | 8053 | 2019 | |

### Ecuador

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| 0.258307-78.1781965 Imbabura UNESCO Global Geopark | Andean Highlands, Imbabura | 4794,34 | 2019 | |

### Peru

| Official name | Location | Area (km$^2$) | 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 (km$^2$) | Year | Geodiversity |
| -33.278889-57.1455567 Grutas del Palacio UNESCO Global Geopark | Central Interior, Flores | 3611 | 2013 | |