Anne MercadoHave you ever dreamt of visiting a place where stunning landscapes tell the story of our planet’s history? Well, look no further than the new UNESCO Global Geoparks from across the globe! These incredible areas combine geological wonders with cultural heritage and local community involvement.
Just recently, 18 new geoparks were added to the prestigious list, bringing the total to 213 across 48 countries. Each park boasts unique geological features that are sure to leave you speechless. Check out the latest additions below.
Also read: 12 Underrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites That Should Be on Your Bucket List
Discover the new UNESCO Global Geoparks
Biokovo-Imotski Lakes | Image credit: OKOFOTO via Canva Pro
Travel back in time to the Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong Cave in China, where dramatic cliffs, gorges, and vast caves dominate the karst landscape. Take a step back into history at Meteora Pyli in Greece, where ancient Byzantine monasteries cling to towering sandstone cliffs.
Geologists will love exploring the Bükk Region in Hungary, where volcanic activity sculpted 300-million-year-old rock formations. For a truly out-of-this-world experience, visit Impact Crater Lake in Finland. Formed by a meteorite collision a whopping 78 million years ago, this lake is the largest crater lake in Europe! These are just a few examples — the complete list includes geoparks in Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Poland, Portugal, and Spain.
Complete list of new geoparks
Linxia | Image credit: gionnixxx via Canva Pro
Here is the complete list of the latest additions to the UNESCO global geoparks:
- Longyan UNESCO Global Geopark, China
- Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark, China
- Xingyi UNESCO Global Geopark, China
- Wugongshan UNESCO Global Geopark, China
- Mount Changbaishan UNESCO Global Geopark, China
- Linxia UNESCO Global Geopark, China
- Calatrava Volcanoes Ciudad Real UNESCO Global Geopark, Spain
- Oeste UNESCO Global Geopark, Portugal
- Land of Extinct Volcanoes UNESCO Global Geopark, Poland
- Bükk Region UNESCO Global Geopark, Hungary
- Meteora Pyli UNESCO Global Geopark, Greece
- Normandie-Maine UNESCO Global Geopark, France
- The South Fyn Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark, Denmark
- Impact Crater Lake – Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark, Finland
- Armorique UNESCO Global Geopark, France
- Biokovo-Imotski Lakes UNESCO Global Geopark, Croatia
- Schelde Delta UNESCO Global Geopark, Belgium and the Netherlands
- Uberaba UNESCO Global Geopark, Brazil
Also read: 10 Most Famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit in South Korea
UNESCO Geoparks offer the perfect blend of adventure, education, and cultural immersion. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to discover the most amazing geological gems on the planet!
Featured image credit: 00one via Canva Pro
