UNESCO Names 16 New Global Geoparks
On April 17, 2025, UNESCO added 16 new Global Geoparks, bringing the total to 229 across 50 countries, covering 855,000 km².
These geoparks span Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, showcasing exceptional geological heritage—from volcanic formations and fossil sites to glacial landscapes.
Notable new entries include Mt Paektu (North Korea), Kanbula (China), Arran (UK), and Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador).
While India has no UNESCO Global Geoparks yet, these sites support conservation, education, and sustainable development, under the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) launched in 2015 by UNESCO.
Key Highlights
16 New UNESCO Global Geoparks
1. Geoparks Across Asia
China: Kanbula UNESCO Global Geopark
- Located on the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known for ancient volcanoes and the Yellow River.
China: Yunyang UNESCO Global Geopark
- Displays landscapes from 250 million years ago, showcasing the transition from an inland sea to a terrestrial environment.
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Mt Paektu UNESCO Global Geopark
- Characterized by volcanic eruptions and glacial erosion, marking the first UNESCO Global Geopark in the country.
Indonesia: Kebumen UNESCO Global Geopark
- Preserves ancient rock formations, including the Karangsambung site, a natural laboratory of oceanic and continental margin rocks.
Indonesia: Meratus UNESCO Global Geopark
- Features geological history dating back to the Jurassic period, with significant diamond deposits and a unique tectonic record.
Republic of Korea: Danyang UNESCO Global Geopark
- Located along the Baekdu Daegan mountain range, it includes 1.9-billion-year-old granite gneiss formations.
Republic of Korea: Gyeongbuk Donghaean UNESCO Global Geopark
- Famous for Deokgu Valley and ancient granitic rocks, combined with hot springs.
2. Geoparks Across Europe
Italy: MurGEopark UNESCO Global Geopark
- Located in the Murges Highlands, known for its stable Adriatic Plate and ancient geological features.
Norway: The Fjord Coast UNESCO Global Geopark
- Features fjords, cascading waterfalls, and glaciers in the westernmost part of Norway.
Spain: Costa Quebrada UNESCO Global Geopark
- Offers a rare look at the Cantabrian coast, revealing tectonic movements over the past 120 million years.
United Kingdom: Arran UNESCO Global Geopark
- This Scottish island offers a geological history of 600 million years, with evidence of tectonic plate collisions.
3. Geoparks Across the Middle East and Latin America
Saudi Arabia: North Riyadh UNESCO Global Geopark
- Situated at the foothills of Tuwaiq Mountain, this geopark is known for its Tabletop Mountains and cultural landmarks.
Saudi Arabia: Salma UNESCO Global Geopark
- This geopark features volcanic and magmatic rocks over 740 million years old, providing insight into deep Earth processes.
Viet Nam: Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark
- Located in the rugged limestone peaks of northern Viet Nam, it presents evidence of volcanic eruptions and evolving ecosystems.
Ecuador: Napo Sumaco UNESCO Global Geopark
- Situated in the Amazon Basin, it includes Sumaco Volcano and geological activity from the Jurassic period to the present.
Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano UNESCO Global Geopark
- Known for its volcanic and glacial history spanning over 417 million years in the Ecuadorian Andes.