Travelers who love geology, culture and sustainability now have a few new destinations to add to their bucket list.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced 18 new global geoparks, which now total 213 in 48 countries around the world.
Among them is the Biokovo Park in Croatia, as well as the Greek Meteori.
From crystal clear karst lakes to the archipelago formed during the last ice age, these parks, with their unique geological features, are much more than sites, as they highlight the area's natural, cultural and intangible heritage.
"UNESCO World Geoparks represent landscapes where internationally significant geological heritage intertwines with human history and supports rich biodiversity," explains Antonio Abreu, Director of the Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences at UNESCO.
"Each new geopark presents a unique story, using geology as a lens".
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We present five new geoparks included in the UNESCO list:
Uberaba, Brazil
Known as the "Land of Giants" due to its rich paleontological heritage, this new geopark encompasses the city of Uberaba in southeastern Brazil.
It is characterized by impressive geological formations, among which are the Serra da Đalga and Serra Đeral mountain ranges, which were formed by basalt flows and reveal stories of ancient volcanic eruptions.
It is also home to more than 10.000 fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life forms, and a 19th-century farming tradition - the use of a unique breed of cattle that produces less CO2 emissions - contributes to the preservation of the area's environment.
Several themed "routes" have been designed to allow visitors to experience the unique geological and cultural features of this area.
The Museum Route takes visitors to destinations such as the Paleontological Research Center and the Uberaba Dinosaur Museum, while the Geological Sites Route highlights enchanted Valley (Enchanted Valley), a 38-hectare reserve rich in forests, waterfalls and prehistoric rock formations.
For true adventurers, there are several hiking trails outside the city that lead through the Sera Đeralu National Park.
This mountain area, now part of a larger geopark, offers hikers the opportunity to explore the local ecosystem.
Biokovo-Imotska jezera, Croatia
Geopark Biokovo-Imotska jezera in southern Croatia consists of two different and unique geological formations.
The first is the Biokovo mountain range, which can be reached via the famous Biokovo Nature Park, which offers countless outdoor attractions, including educational nature walks, mountain vistas, and even a botanical garden that highlights the flora of these mountain slopes along the sea coast.
Here is also the third highest peak in the country, the peak of St. George (Sveti Jure) at 1.762 meters above sea level.
The second formation is located in the stunning blue waters of the nearby lakes, Red and Blue, in the small town of Imotski.
The Red Lake, located at the bottom of the deepest karst lake crater in Europe, got its name from the reddish color of the cliffs that surround it, while the Blue Lake is named for its incredibly blue waters, which are fed by melting snow from the surrounding mountains.
However, while the Blue Lake is easily accessible to visitors who like swimming and other water activities, the Red Lake is more difficult to reach, as it is located at the bottom of a 500-meter-deep sinkhole.
Man-made sites can also be visited, such as several medieval tombstones and a glass-floored observation deck in Ravna Vlaška, a part of the park that offers views of nearby towns, mountains and the Adriatic Sea.
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Meteori Pili, Greece
Meteori Pili, located in the Greek region of Thessaly, presents itself as a "journey through space, time and geology", and it's no wonder, because it seems that in many places nature and culture perfectly intertwine.
For example, the high sandstone rocks of Meteora, some of which reach up to 300 meters, serve as pillars for monasteries from the Byzantine era, which were built between 1200 and 1600 AD.
Although this famous place was already declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988, the new geopark also includes nearby geological wonders such as tafoni (semi-circular depressions on the rock that are formed under the influence of water, salt, wind, and sunlight, most often in coastal areas) in the city of Kalambaki, and the diverse biosphere of Mount Pind(osa), a favorite among mountaineers.
"Our area offers visitors a unique experience," says Eleftherios Avramopoulos, Mayor of Meteora.
"Especially because of the unique roads to the sacred rocks of Meteora and the villages hidden in the rich fauna of Mount Pindos".
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Lungyang, China
The town of Lungyan in Fujian province, which is considered the cultural center of the Hakka people, is known for its characteristic round buildings and compact cobbled streets.
The Hakka people living in the area still observe unique traditions, such as the You Da Long Carnival, during which locals perform a large dragon formation dance, and the Zou Gu Shi, a festival of Chinese engraved prints. wooden blocks and traditional costumes.
In addition to the cultural and architectural heritage, the geopark also includes the natural forest that surrounds the city, the densest in the western part of Fujian.
The geopark status will contribute to the protection of many endemic plant and animal species, among them the Chinese yew and the South Chinese tiger, in this area, in the hinterland of which is Meihuashan Mountain, known as the "Mother Mountain of Fujian Province".
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South Finn Archipelago, Denmark
The South Finn Archipelago was formed more than 10.000 years ago due to a dramatic rise in the global water level.
Sometimes called the "Garden of Denmark" because of its long agricultural history, it encompasses some 55 islands and islets in some of the best sailing waters in the world.
Visitors can tour the islands by boat or scuba dive to experience the endangered marine ecosystem.
On land, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, explore, and support a network of small local farms by buying their produce.
"UNESCO adds geoparks to the list only after very careful consideration and evaluation of all criteria," says Elzebeth Gerner Nilsen, president of the Danish National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO.
"If the South Finn archipelago managed to pass through the eye of a needle, 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."
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