Brazil has a place on the UNESCO list of geoparks – 04/13/2024 – Science

From dinosaur fossils in Brazil to the imposing monasteries of Meteora in Greece, 18 new geological sites have been added to the UNESCO Geoparks list. These places highlight the natural, cultural and intangible heritage of the regions where they are located.

In some of them, the public can find karst lakes (created from the collapse of caves in water-soluble rocks, such as limestone) with crystal clear waters and archipelagos formed during the last Ice Age.

These are spaces with unique geological characteristics.

“Unesco’s World Geoparks represent landscapes where geological heritage of international importance is intertwined with human history and sustains rich biodiversity”, explains António Abreu, director of the Ecological and Earth Sciences Division at UNESCO.

“Each new geopark tells a unique story, using geology as a lens,” he added.

In this article, we highlight five of these new geoparks that you should visit at least once in your life.

1. Uberaba, Brazil

Known as the “Land of Giants” for the rich paleontological heritage found there, this new geopark includes the city of Uberaba in southeastern Brazil.

It contains impressive geological formations, including the Serra da Galga and Serra Geral mountain ranges, formed by basalt flows that tell the story of ancient volcanic eruptions.

There are also more than 10,000 fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life forms here, as well as a 19th century agricultural tradition that uses a unique breed of cattle, producing lower carbon dioxide emissions and contributing to ecological preservation. of the area.

Several themed “routes” or suggested itineraries allow visitors to experience the region’s unique geological and cultural features.

A museum route directs tourists to sites like the Paleontological Research Center and the Uberaba Dinosaur Museum, while a “geosites” route highlights places like Vale Encantado, a reserve that protects 38 hectares of forests, waterfalls and rock formations. prehistoric.

For the more adventurous, several trails take out-of-town visitors directly through Serra Geral National Park.

This mountainous region, which is now part of the geopark, allows hikers to immerse themselves in the local ecosystem.

2. Biokovo-Imotski Lakes, Croatia

Two distinct and unique geological formations make up the Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark in southern Croatia.

The first is the Biokovo mountain range, accessible via the popular Biokovo Nature Park, which offers numerous outdoor attractions, including educational nature walks, mountain viewpoints and even a botanical garden highlighting the flora of the coastal mountain slopes.

There is the third highest peak in the country, Monte São Jorge, rising to 1,762 meters above sea level.

The second formations can be found in the impressive blue waters of the Red and Blue lakes, near Imotski, a small town in the region.

Located at the bottom of the crater, the Red Lake, Europe’s deepest karst lake, gets its name from the reddish color of the iron oxide-tinged cliffs that surround it, while the Blue Lake gets its name from its incredibly blue waters, fed by meltwater. of the surrounding mountains.

However, while the Blue Lake is easily accessible for visitors interested in swimming and other water activities, the Red Lake is more difficult to reach due to its location at the bottom of a 500-meter-deep cave.

There are also man-made sites to explore, including several medieval tombstones and the modern glass walkway in Ravna Vlaška, an area of ​​the park with views of neighboring towns, mountains and the Adriatic Sea.

3. Meteora Pyli, Greece

The Meteora Pyli Park, located in the Greek region of Thessaly, presents itself as “a journey through space, time and geology”.

And it’s no surprise, as many of its locations seem to perfectly combine nature and culture.

For example, the imposing rocky mountains of Meteora, some of which reach up to 300 meters high, serve as the basis for Byzantine-era monasteries built between the years 1200 and 1600 AD.

Although this famous site already received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1988, the new geopark designation includes nearby geological wonders such as Kalambaka’s Tafoni formations, known for their honeycomb erosion patterns, and the varied biosphere of the Pindos mountains, a favorite with hikers.

“Visitors can enjoy a unique experience in our region,” says Eleftherios Avramopoulos, mayor of Meteora.

“Especially for the unique routes to the sacred rocks of Meteora and the villages hidden in the rich fauna of the Pindos mountains.”

4. Longyan, China

Considered the center of Hakka culture in China, the city of Longyan in Fujian province is known for its distinctive circular houses and cobblestone streets.

The Hakka community living in this region still preserves unique traditions, such as the You Da Long festival, where locals perform a dance in a large formation of dragons, and the Zou Gu Shi festival, a local carnival that features wood engravings and the use of in traditional costumes.

In addition to the cultural and architectural history, the geopark also extends into the natural forest surrounding the city, the densest in western Fujian.

The new designation will help protect the numerous endemic species of plants and animals found here, including the Chinese yew and the South Chinese tiger, all under the shadow of Meihuashan Mountain, known as the “Mother Mountain of Fujian Province.”

5. Southern Fionia Archipelago, Denmark

The southern Fionia archipelago is an example of a “submerged” Ice Age landscape, created by the dramatic rise in water levels more than 10,000 years ago.

Sometimes called “The Garden of Denmark” for its long history as an agricultural location, it encompasses around 55 islands and islets located in some of the best sailing waters in the world.

Visitors can island-hop across the archipelago by sailboat or dive to experience the endangered marine ecosystem.

On land, there are many opportunities to hike, explore and support the network of small farms by purchasing local produce.

“Unesco only includes geoparks on the list after careful consideration and evaluation”, comments Elsebeth Gerner Nielsen, president of the Danish National Commission for UNESCO.

“If the southern archipelago of Fionia has passed the test, 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”, he adds.

This text was originally published here