Outstanding geology

UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas with an outstanding geological heritage, where there is considerable local effort to conserve this heritage and encourage its enjoyment and understanding by the public and with the aim of supporting sustainable development.

Global Network

The Global Geopark Network was established in April 2004, with the then 17 European Geoparks at the forefront of this worldwide family of special places.

It is more of a ‘status’ than a formal ‘designation’. The founding Geoparks registered the Geopark brand and were successful in getting UNESCO support and recognition for it. It is a young status, only being established in 2000.

There are 76 European Geoparks. These are currently in England, Scotland Wales, Northern Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Irish Republic, Croatia, Finland, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Cyprus, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. All the European Geoparks are also part of the Global Geoparks Network.