Seen (and visitable) from another planet, the little-known eight corners of the world are as beautiful as they are disturbing

UNESCO Global Geoparks can be defined as: nature museums. It is the regions that are recognized with this distinction because of their geological heritage that represents the geological structure of the planet. And that, besides being impressive to the eye, they allow to know. The geological events that have shaped the world since its inception. They are also appropriately maintained and used as an engine for local development. The program was launched in 2004 and creates a network of 177 protected areas in 46 countries with new additions in 2022. These are his last eight (and spectacular) additions.

Buzau Land (Romania)

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Forty million years of geological history guarantees that this almost Martian site in Romania is included in the UNESCO list. During this time, tectonic movements pushed up the mountains and transformed a deep-sea environment into a terrestrial environment. A 1,036 square kilometer region where fossils of marine species, terrestrial vegetation, mammals and birds from the last ice age are well preserved. The features of Buzău Land are: endless fires (natural gas flames), mud volcanoes, or some of the world’s longest and deepest salt caves.

One night at Hotel Art

RRP in Kayak €80.00

Mëllerdall (Luxembourg)

@naturpark.lu

In the new Mëllerdall Geopark is the Luxembourg Sandstone formation, which, with a thickness of up to 100 meters, creates one of the most spectacular sandstone landscapes in Western Europe. It dates to between 205 and 180 million years ago and has been a tourist attraction since the late 19th century. Perfect place for hiking lovers as it is explored a substantial network of well-marked hiking trails.

Platabergens (Sweden)

@platabergensgeopark.se

In Platåbergens, fifteen flat-topped mountains They name the place. Those found in western Sweden were formed by erosion during the last Ice Age (ie 115,000 years ago). Local civilization has appeared throughout its history, from quarry stone megalithic tombs to the first known stone church in Sweden built by Christian Vikings at the beginning of the 11th century.

Serido (Brazil)

@geoparqueserido.com.br

Seridó can witness the last 600 million years of Earth’s history. It is home to one of the largest scheelite mineralizations in South America and basalt flows from volcanic activities of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods, as well as the “caatinga” (“white forest” in Tupi). only one ecoregion of the Brazilian subtropical flora. Also, among its inhabitants are communities such as the quilombolas that keep alive the memory of their enslaved ancestors in Africa and preserve their culture.

Paths of the Southern Canyons (Brazil)

@geoparquecanionsdosul

The Atlantic Forest is one of the richest ecosystems in the world in terms of biodiversity and is located in the south of Brazil. Pre-Columbian inhabitants took refuge here. underground cavities excavated by extinct paleolithic vertebrate fauna and on the Camino de los Cañones del Sur, whose remains are still visible. Highlight is also its huge cliff with a length of 200 kilometers and its heights, which do not fall below 900 and reach up to 1,300 meters.

Salpausselkä (Finland)

@visitlahti.fi

Salpausselkä is located in the south of Finland, in the Lahti region. More than half of its territory is covered with forests. Thanks to its hundreds of lakes, about 21% is water. On the other hand, the pointed ridges of Salpausselkä stretch for more than 600 kilometers and are made up of sediments deposited by glaciers.

One night at Greenstar Hotel Lahti

RRP in kayak €93,00

Ries (Germany)

@geopark-ries.de

Ries, whose territory is mostly in the State of Bavaria, is famous for the impact of a kilometer-wide meteorite that fell. an impact crater that is currently the best preserved in Europe and the most studied impact structure of nearly 200 known craters in the world. In addition, there are various nature trails leading to natural viewing points in the place.

One night at Hotel Donau-Ries

RRP €105.00 on the boat

Kefalonia-Ithaca (Greece)

@kefalonageopark.gr

This complex of islands covers an area of ​​773 square kilometers, inhabited by only 35,801 people, and rich in sinkholes and underground streams. Its history dates back more than 250 million years and it has a rich culture to be found in as well as its geology. prehistoric, Hellenistic and Roman ruins. So medieval castles, Byzantine and post-Byzantine monasteries, traditional settlements, windmills or lighthouses are easily found.

One night at Mentor Hotel

RRP in kayak €71,00

Cover photo | istock