UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are integrated geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological importance are managed using a holistic approach that features conservation, education and sustainable development. This approach involves local communities and is becoming increasingly popular. There are currently 195 UNESCO World Geoparks in 48 countries.
Since its establishment in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geopark label has recognized geological heritage of world importance. The aim of those geoparks is to serve local communities, combining the protection of their geological heritage, public outreach and implementing a sustainable development approach that covers various points of life. In Southeast Asia particularly, the region has made a major contribution when it comes to the variety of top geoparks on the earth, with a complete of 18.
Bohol Island, Philippines
The island of Bohol within the Philippines has grow to be the country’s first UNESCO world geopark. The UNESCO World Geopark on the island of Bohol covers an area of 8,808 square kilometers and surrounds a protected marine area. It accommodates stunning karst geosites similar to caves, sinkholes and the enduring Chocolate Hills. The island’s geological identity has been developing for over 150 million years.
Dak Nong, Vietnam
The Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark in Dak Nong Province, Vietnam, covers an area of 4,760 square kilometers and includes five districts (Krong No, Cu Jut, Dak Mil, Dak Song, Dak G’long) and the town of Gia Nghia. The geopark is known for its unique geological features and offers opportunities for sustainable progress, similar to protecting cultural heritage, promoting local assets and supporting ecotourism.
Non Nuoc Cao Bang, Vietnam
The Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Geopark in Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam covers an area of 3,683 square kilometers. The region is inhabited by roughly 250,000 people, 92% of whom belong to nine different ethnic groups. The Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark is the second UNESCO-recognized geopark in Vietnam, after the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
Dong Van Karst Plateau, Vietnam
The UNESCO Geopark on the Dong Van Karst Plateau, positioned in Ha Giang Province in northeastern Vietnam, covers an area of 2,356.8 square kilometers. Located within the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, the Geopark is thought for its diverse geological features, including paleobiology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, tectonics, karst, caves and major faults. The geology of the Geopark reflects crucial events in Earth’s history, including two mass extinctions.
Batur, Indonesia
The Batur UNESCO World Geopark is positioned within the north-eastern a part of Bali, an island that’s one of the vital famous international tourist centers in Indonesia. The geopark covers an area of 370.5 square kilometers and extends from 920 to 2,152 meters above sea level. Many areas inside it, similar to Gunung Batur Nature Park and Bukit Payang, are protected forests, that are a very important a part of this UNESCO World Geopark.
Maros Pangkep, Indonesia
Maros Pangkep, a UNESCO World Geopark in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is known for its stunning views of karst formations, which could be explored through the Gua Aloa Kalibong geosite. The geopark covers an area of roughly 5,077.25 square kilometers and stretches from land to sea, at altitudes from 0 to 1,300 meters above sea level.
Merangin Jambi, Indonesia
Covering an area of 4,832.31 square kilometers, Merangin Jambi in Jambi Province on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia is a UNESCO World Geopark famous for its unique “Jambi Flora” fossils that reflect the characteristics of West Sumatra’s terrestrial and Euro-American flora. The geopark is characterised by several major geological features, including a Mesozoic karst landscape with prehistoric artifacts and the Masurai Caldera representing Quaternary volcanoes.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Raja Ampat Geopark, positioned in Raja Ampat Regency, southwestern Papua, Indonesia, is a UNESCO world geopark that accommodates the oldest rocks in Indonesia dating back to the Silurian-Devonian period, roughly 443.8-358.9 million years ago. The geopark consists of eight terrestrial protected areas and covers an area of 2,713 km2, surrounded by Regional Marine Protected Areas and National Marine Reserves.
Mount Rinjani, Indonesia
The Rinjani-Lombok UNESCO Geopark is positioned on the island of Lombok in Southeast Asia and covers a national park and catchment area of 41,330 hectares (159.6 square miles). The geopark is positioned within the Lesser Sunda Islands, also often called the Nusa Tenggara Islands, and showcases the geological and cultural significance of Mount Rinjani, an lively volcano in Indonesia, positioned on the island of Lombok.
Toba Caldera, Indonesia
The Toba Caldera UNESCO Geopark, within the North Sumatra province of Indonesia, is positioned around Lake Toba, which was formed 74,000 years ago by a large volcanic eruption. This eruption was the biggest within the Quaternary period and produced 2,800 km3 of pyroclastic material. This event also gave the name to the Toba Caldera Geopark, referring to the rocky space created by the eruption, creating a rare geopark landscape that was once stuffed with water, and the fertile surroundings developed into what it’s today.
Belitong, Indonesia
Belitong Geopark, positioned in Bangka Belitung Province, Indonesia, covers an area of 4,800 square kilometers of land and 13,000 square kilometers of sea, surrounded by 241 small islands. The continent consists mainly of hills surrounded by lowlands, the peak of which reaches only 0 meters above sea level. Belitong Geopark is known for its granite landscape of TOR, a novel geological feature within the tin belt of Southeast Asia.
Mount Sewu in Indonesia
Gunung Sewu Geopark is positioned within the southern mountains of East Java, Indonesia, stretching from Gunung Kidul and Wonogiri Regency in Central Java to Pacitan Regency in East Java. The geopark is known for its tropical karst areas, unique in Southeast Asia, in addition to karst ecosystems and areas where ancient human fossils from the Paleolithic period dating back roughly 1.8 million years ago and stone hunting tools have been found.
Ciletuh, Indonesia
Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark is a UNESCO World Geopark in Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, Indonesia, covering an area of 128,000 hectares and covering eight sub-districts and 74 villages. The name of the Geopark is inspired by the Ciletuh River and Palabuhanratu (Pelabuhan Ratu), which is said to the legend of the Queen of the Southern Ocean because the guardian of this area. It is a famous tourist destination with places like Puncak Darma, Curug Sodong, Curug Awang, Palangpang Beach and Bukit.
Ijen, Indonesia
Ijen Geopark in East Java, Indonesia is a UNESCO World Geopark covering an area of 1,300 square kilometers. The Ijen area is made up of three distinct mountain ranges, including the Giant Volcano Complex within the north and the Ancient Volcano Hills within the southwest. This geopark includes Mount Ijen, famous for its blue fire scenery.
Khorat, Thailand
The Khorat UNESCO Geopark is positioned in Nakhon Ratchasima Province in northeastern Thailand and covers an area of 5 of the province’s 32 districts, with a complete area of 3,000 square kilometers. Khorat Geopark is known for its unique geological features, including the Khao Chan Ngam sandstone and the Pha Kep Ta Wan rock formation. The geopark can be home to several essential cultural sites, including the Ban Prasat Archaeological Site and the Hin Phimai Prasat Historical Park.
Satun, Thailand
The UNESCO Satun Geopark in southern Thailand, Satun Province, covers 4 districts, including Thungwa, La-ngu, Manang and parts of Mueang Satun, and includes two national parks and a wildlife reserve. The region is wealthy in mountains, foothills, beaches and islands along the Andaman Sea. The population is roughly 113,110 people, with the vast majority of the population being of Thai origin, although there are also diverse cultural and spiritual groups.
Langkawi, Malaysia
The Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, positioned on the northwestern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, covers an area of 99 islands with a complete area of 470 square kilometers. The uniqueness of this Geopark lies in its geological and cultural heritage, including traditional fishing and farming villages. Situated along the Strait of Malacca, which was a historic trade route in Southeast Asia, the Geopark carries many legends, myths and historical connections to the world.
Kinabalu, Malaysia
Kinabalu Geopark within the state of Sabah, Malaysia, is a UNESCO world geopark covering an area of 4,750 km2. The Geopark is called after Mount Kinabalu, the very best peak in Southeast Asia, which dominates the region. One of the distinguishing features of the Kinabalu Geopark are the characteristic hornblende granite peaks with fine-grained hornblende minerals. It can be home to incredible biodiversity, including many species found only on this region.
