There are a number of new locations that adventurers who want to delve deeply into geology, culture, and sustainability could add to their bucket lists. 18 more Global Geoparks have been designated by Unesco, bringing the total to 213 sites that span 48 countries worldwide.
These 18 new geological sites, which range from the towering monasteries of Meteora to dinosaur fossils in Brazil, showcase the natural, cultural, and intangible heritage of a given region.
These parks, which range from pristine karst lakes to an island created during the last ice age, are more than just locations with distinctive geological features; they also aim to emphasize the natural, cultural, and intangible heritage of a certain area. “Unesco Global Geoparks represent landscapes where internationally significant geological heritage intertwines with human history and supports rich biodiversity,” says António Abreu, who is in charge of Unesco’s Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences. “Each new geopark tells a unique story, using geology as its lens.”
Some of the newest geoparks under Unesco are given below:
Meteora Pyli, Greece
The Thessaly region of Greece is home to Meteora Pyli, which describes itself as “a journey through space, time, and geology”. Byzantine-era monasteries constructed between 1200 and 1600 CE are perched atop the 300-meter-tall sandstone columns of Meteroa.
Biokovo-Imotski Lakes, Croatia
The Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark in southern Croatia is made up of two separate and unusual geological formations. The first is the Biokovo mountain range, which is reachable through the well-known Biokovo Nature Park. This park has a wide choice of outdoor activities, such as informative nature hikes, mountain lookouts, and even a botanical garden that showcases the plants that grow on these coastal mountain slopes. Here, at 1,762 meters above sea level, stands St. George mountain, the third-highest mountain in the nation.
South Fyn Archipelago, Denmark
A “drowned” ice age landscape, such as the South Fyn Archipelago, was produced by a sharp rise in global water levels that occurred more than 10,000 years ago. Known as “The Garden of Denmark” due to its extensive agricultural past, the region consists of approximately 55 islands and islets that are tucked away in some of the world’s most beautiful sailing waters.
Uberaba, Brazil
Referred to as the “Land of the Giants” because to the abundant palaeontological legacy there, this recently established geopark encompasses the southeast Brazilian city of Uberaba. Impressive geological features may be found there, such as the mountain ranges of Serra da Galga and Serra Geral, which were created by basalt flows and provide insight into historical volcanic eruptions.
Longyan, China
The city of Longyan, located in the Fujian Province, is renowned for its small cobblestone alleys and unusual roundhouse-style houses. It is also thought to be the center of Hakka culture in China.
