UNESCO has listed 18 new geoparks from around the world, and Portugal’s Oeste is one of them. This addition brings the total to 213 across 48 different countries.
These parks are not only merely stunning, but they are also recognized specifically for their geological heritage and role in supporting local communities. The UNESCO Global Geopark program was founded in 2015, and recognizes ‘single, unified geographical areas’ whose management model combines conservation, sustainable development and community involvement.
Portugal’s Oeste UNESCO Global Geopark stretches along its central coast, showcasing a vast 72 km Atlantic coastline with sandy beaches. Exposed layers of rock on the coastline date back to the late Triassic Period, about 230 million years ago. Presently, the coastline sustains local communities through fishing, and several small ports dot the shoreline. The park boasts a rich palaeontological heritage, with over 180 fossil sites. These include remnants of 12 dinosaur species.
Other parks include China’s Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong Cave park, boasting dramatic sreep cliffs, deep gorges and caves. China claimed six spots on the list. The Schelde Delta UNESCO Global Geopark in Belgium and the Netherlands, and the beautiful Armorique in France also made the list. The full list and criteria can be accessed on the UNESCO website.
Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !
These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.
Bookstore
- The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
- Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here
Travel Gear
- Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
- Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
- Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here
Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.
