UNESCO Global Geoparks
Introduction '''UNESCO Global Geoparks''' ('''UGGp''') are geoparks certified by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council as meeting all the requirements for belonging to the '''Global Geoparks Network''' ('''GGN'''). The GGN is both a network of geoparks and the agency of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). that administers the network.The agency was founded in 2004 in partnership with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The network was set up to conserve Earth's geological heritage, as well as to promote the sustainable research and development by the concerned communities. To implement these goals they adopted the concept of geopark, a term that had already been in use for one of the proposed parks. Geoparks were conceived as "single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. "As the geopark did not naturally conform to all those requirements, compliance involved considerable work of the country where the geopark was to be located. In essence, the park had to be not only protected, but marketed sustainably to the public. In 2015, the Member States of UNESCO ratified the rebranding to the current name.Since 2015, the application and designation process has been defined by the Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the UGGp. As of April 2023, there were 195 UGGp's in 48 countries. There are now GGN member sites situated in five of seven continents, there being none currently in either Antarctica or Australasia. There are not yet (2022) global geoparks in the United States. China is the country with the largest number of global geoparks.
Creation of the global network The '''Global Geoparks Network''' ('''GGN''') (also known as the '''Global Network of National Geoparks''') is UNESCO assisted network established in 1998.Managed under the body's Ecological and Earth Sciences Division, the GGN seeks the promotion and conservation of the planet's geological heritage, as well as encourages the sustainable research and development by the concerned communities. Since 2015, its members are officially designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks.The first batch of members to the GGN were announced during the first International Conference on Geoparks in 2004.
Geopark admission to the global network The international network seeks the membership geoparks—geographical areas where geological heritage is the focus of local protection, education and development.A set of criteria as established by UNESCO must first be met for a geopark, as nominated by the corresponding government, to be included in the GGN:* the existence of a management plan designed to foster socio-economic development that is sustainable (most likely to be based on agritourism and geotourism);* demonstrate methods for conserving and enhancing geological heritage and provide means for teaching geoscientific disciplines and broader environmental issues;* joint-proposals submitted by public authorities, local communities and private interests acting together, which demonstrate the best practices with respect to Earth heritage conservation and its integration into sustainable development strategies. One such initiative is GEOfood, originally developed in Norway but now promoting local produce in global geoparks worldwide.Criteria satisfaction is evaluated during biennial meetings (every even year) by the Geoparks Committee, known as the '''International Conference on Geoparks''', which is also in charge with the periodic review of projects related to geological awareness. The first members of the GGN were named during the first conference in 2004, and it has continued to grow since then:  Session Year Site Date 1st 2004 Beijing, China 27 June –7 July  2nd 2006 Belfast, United Kingdom 17–21 September  3rd 2008 Osnabrück, Germany 22–26 June  4th 2010 Langkawi, Malaysia 12–16 April  5th 2012 Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark (Shimabara, Japan) 12–15 May 6th2014 Stonehammer Geopark (Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada) 19–22 September 7th2016 English Riviera Geopark (Torquay, Devon, England) 24–30 September8th2018 Adamello Brenta UNESCO Global Geopark (Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino, Italy) 11–14 September 9th2020 Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Republic of Korea (did not take place due to Covid) 17–20 September The GGN works closely with another project under UNESCO's Ecological and Earth Sciences Division—the Man and Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves—to come up with and establish different means of sustainable development in promoting the local communities’ relationship with the natural environment.
Structure by continent and UNESCO region The following table contains the detailed articles on the UNESCO Global Geoparks ('''UGG''') and further international recognition frameworks of the geoheritage of each continents and their representative regional geopark networks. +List of UGGs by continentUNESCO regionRegional geopark networkNumber of UGGs in the network Number of countries in the networkAfricaAfricaAfrican Geoparks Network22AsiaAsiaAsia Pacific Geoparks Network578OceaniaOceaniaEuropeEurope and North AmericaEuropean Geoparks Network7526North America—31Central AmericaLatin America and the CaribbeanLatin America and the Caribbean Geoparks Network76South America===Africa======Asia Pacific======Europe======North America======Latin America and the Caribbean====== Continent and UNESCO-Region Notes ===
Geopark list by country and continent Many of the names in the list below appear in slightly different forms in different documents or webpages, particularly where they have been anglicised. Dates of accession to network, where not otherwise referenced are taken from UNESCO website.+ List by country/territory Country/Territory Continent Geopark Year included Austria Europe Styrian Eisenwurzen 2004 Austria Europe Ore of the Alps 2014 Austria / Slovenia Europe Karawanken / Karavanke 2015 Belgium Europe Famenne-Ardenne 2018 Brazil South America Araripe 2006 Canada North America Cliffs of Fundy 2020 Canada North America Discovery 2020 Canada North America Percé 2018 Canada North America Stonehammer 2010 Canada North America Tumbler Ridge 2014 Chile South America Kütralkura 2019 China Asia Alxa Desert 2009 China Asia Arxan 2017 China Asia Wangwushan-Daimeishan  2006 China Asia Danxiashan 2004 China Asia Fangshan 2006 China Asia Funiushan  2006 China Asia Hexigten 2005 China Asia Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe 2018 China Asia Huanggang Dabieshan 2018 China Asia Jiuhuashan 2019 China Asia Huangshan 2004 China Asia Jingpohu  2006 China Asia Keketuohai 2017 China Asia Leye-Fengshan 2010 China Asia Longhushan 2007 China Asia Mount Lu 2004 China Asia Ningde 2010 China Asia Qinling 2009 China Asia Leiqiong 2006 China Asia Sanqingshan, Jiangxi 2012 China Asia Shilin  2004 China Asia Songshan 2004 China Asia Taining 2005 China Asia Taishan 2006 China Asia Tianzhushan 2011 China Asia Wudalianchi  2004 China Asia Xiangxi 2020 China Asia Xingwen 2005 China Asia Yandangshan 2005 China Asia Yimengshan 2019 China Asia Yuntaishan  2004 China Asia Zhangjiajie 2004 China Asia Zhangye 2020 China Asia Zigong 2008 Croatia Europe Papuk 2007 Croatia Europe Vis Archipelago 2019 Cyprus Europe Troodos 2015 Czech Republic Europe Bohemian Paradise 2005 Denmark Europe Odsherred 2014 Ecuador South America Imbabura 2019 Finland Europe Lauhanvuori-Hämeenkangas 2020 Finland Europe Rokua 2010 France Europe Massif des Bauges 2011 France Europe Beaujolais 2018 France Europe  2017 France Europe Chablais 2012 France Europe Haute Provence 2004 France Europe Luberon 2005 France Europe Monts d'Ardèche 2014 Germany Europe Bergstrasse-Odenwald  2004 Germany Europe TERRA.vita 2004 Germany Europe Harz, Braunschweiger Land 2005 Germany Europe Swabian Alb 2005 Germany Europe Vulkaneifel 2004 Germany/Poland Europe Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa  2015 Greece Europe Lesvos 2004 Greece Europe Chelmos-Vouraikos 2009 Greece Europe Psiloritis 2004 Greece Europe Sitia 2015 Greece Europe Vikos-Aoos 2010 Greece Europe Kefalonia-Ithaca 2022 Hong Kong Asia Hong Kong 2011 Hungary Europe Bakony-Balaton 2012 Hungary/Slovakia Europe Novohrad - Nograd 2010 Iceland Europe Katla 2011 Iceland Europe Reykjanes 2015 Indonesia Asia Batur, Bali 2012IndonesiaAsiaRinjani Lombok2018 Indonesia Asia Gunung Sewu, Java2015IndonesiaAsiaCiletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark2018IndonesiaAsiaToba Caldera2020IndonesiaAsiaBelitong2021IndonesiaAsiaIjen2023IndonesiaAsiaMaros-Pangkep2023IndonesiaAsiaMerangin Jambi2023IndonesiaAsiaRaja Ampat2023 Iran Asia Qeshm Island 2017 Ireland Europe Burren and Cliffs of Moher 2011 Ireland Europe Copper Coast 2004 Ireland/United Kingdom Europe Marble Arch Caves  2004 Italy Europe Alpi Apuani 2011 Italy Europe Cilento and Vallo di Diano 2010 Italy Europe Madonie  2004 Italy Europe Beigua  2005 Italy Europe Parco Geominerario della Sardegna 2007 Italy Europe Pollino 2007 Italy Europe Adamello Brenta  2008 Italy Europe Rocca di Cerere  2008 Italy Europe Sesia - Val Grande Geopark  2013 Italy Europe Tuscan Mining Park 2010ItalyEuropeMaiella  2021 Japan Asia Itoigawa 2009 Japan Asia Toya and Usu 2009 Japan Asia Unzen Volcanic Area 2009 Japan Asia San'in Kaigan 2010 Japan Asia Muroto 2011 Japan Asia Oki Islands 2013 Japan Asia Aso 2014 Japan Asia Mt. Apoi 2015 Japan Asia Izu Peninsula 2018 Malaysia Asia Langkawi  2007 Malaysia Asia Kinabalu  2023 Mexico North America Comarca Minera, Hidalgo 2017 Mexico North America Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca 2017 Morocco Africa M'Goun  2014 Netherlands Europe Hondsrug  2013 Nicaragua North America Rio Coco 2020 Norway Europe Gea Norvegica  2006 Norway Europe Magma  2010 Norway Europe Trollfjell  2019 Peru South America Colca y Volcanoes de Andagua 2019PhilippinesAsiaBohol Island 2023 Poland/Germany Europe Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa  2015 Portugal Europe Naturtejo da Meseta Meridional  2006 Portugal Africa Azores  2013 Portugal EuropeArouca  2009 Portugal Europe Estrela 2020 Portugal EuropeTerras de Cavaleiros  2015 Romania Europe Hateg 2005 Russian Federation Asia Yangan Tau 2020 Serbia Europe Đerdap 2020 Slovakia/Hungary Europe Novohrad-Nógrád 2010 Slovenia Europe Idrija 2013 Slovenia/Austria Europe Karawanken / Karavanke 2015 South Korea Asia Cheongsong 2017 South Korea Asia Hantangang 2020 South Korea Asia Jeju Island 2010 South Korea Asia Mudeungsan Area 2018 Spain Europe Basque Coast Geopark 2010 Spain Europe Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park 2006 Spain Europe Central Catalonia 2012 Spain Europe Conca de Tremp-Montsec 2018 Spain Europe Courel Mountains 2019 Spain Europe Granada 2020 Spain Africa El Hierro 2015 Spain Europe Las Loras 2017 Spain Europe Maestrazgo 2020 Spain Europe Sierra Norte de Sevilla, Andalusia 2004 Spain Europe Sobrarbe-Pirineos  2006 Spain Europe Sierras Subbeticas 2006 Spain Europe Villuercas Ibores Jara 2011 Spain Africa Lanzarote and Chinijos Islands 2015 Spain Europe Molina & Alto Tajo 2014 Tanzania Africa Ngorongoro Lengai 2018 Thailand Asia Satun 2018 Thailand Asia Nakhon Ratchasima 2023 Turkey Asia Kula-Salihli* 2013 (2020) United Kingdom/Ireland Europe Cuilcagh Lakelands  2004 United Kingdom Europe North Pennines 2004 United Kingdom Europe Fforest Fawr 2005 United Kingdom Europe North West Highlands 2005 United Kingdom Europe English Riviera 2007 United Kingdom Europe Shetland 2009 United Kingdom Europe GeoMôn 2009 United Kingdom Europe Black Country  2020 Uruguay South America Grutas del Palacio 2013 Vietnam Asia Non nuoc Cao Bang 2018 Vietnam Asia Dong Van Karst Plateau 2010 Vietnam Asia Dak Nong 2020Note * Kula Volcanic Geopark designated in 2013 was extended and renamed as Kula Salihli in 2020
Geoparks no longer in the GGN Whilst the length of the list has grown year on year, some members drop out from time to time, either by choice or by failing the network's revalidation procedures.UNESCO Global Geoparks are given this designation for a period of four years after which the functioning and quality of each UNESCO Global Geopark is thoroughly re-examined during a revalidation process. Country/Territory Continent Geopark Year included Ceased United Kingdom Europe Lochaber 2007 2011 Germany Europe Mecklenburg Ice Age Landscape 2005  ? Australia Australasia Kanawinka 2008 Austria Europe Carnic Alps Geopark 2012
Notes A. Names and spellings used for the elements were based on the official list as published.
References
External links *  UNESCO Global Geoparks on UNESCO site*  GGN official site