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Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark, Indonesia -

Among the 18 new sites announced is Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark, in Indonesia. Located in the Banyuwangi and Bondowoso Regencies in East Java province, this geopark, one of 10 now in the country, is known for a rare phenomenon. Sulfur rising from Ijen volcano ignites with oxygen to form a gas that gives off an electric blue flame only visible at night.

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Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, Japan -

Joining the Global Geoparks Network in 2024 is Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, located in central Japan. This geopark, also now one of 10, records nearly 300 million years of history. Within its boundaries is the still-active Mount Hakusan volcano, one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains."

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Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark, Greece -

Also making its debut to join nine other sites in Greece is Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark. A region inhabited since antiquity, Lavreotiki is well known for its abundance of mineralogical wealth. It's also celebrated for its cultural attractions, monuments and ruins that include the Byzantine Holy Monastery of St. Paul the Apostle and the Temple of Poseidon (pictured).

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Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark, New Zealand -

New Zealand is honored with its first geopark, Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark. Located on the east coast of the South Island, the geopark provides evidence of the formation of Zealandia, which broke away from the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana around 80 million years ago. Of special interest is the spherical Moeraki Boulders (pictured), deposited on the ancient seafloor between 50 and 70 million years ago.

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Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Philippines -

The Philippines, too, is recognized with its first geopark—Bohol Island. Anchored in the Visayas island group, Bohol is famous for its cone-shaped Chocolate Hills (pictured). Elsewhere, the island's Danajon Double Barrier Reef along the northern coast is the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia.

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Uberaba UNESCO Global Geopark, Brazil -

The inclusion of Uberaba UNESCO Global Geopark on the list of new geoparks brings to six the number of geoparks in Brazil. Uberaba is known as the "Land of the Giants" because of the rich paleontological heritage found here. The park also includes the city of Uberaba, in the state of Minas Gerais.

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Sunnhordland UNESCO Global Geopark, Norway -

Bringing to four the total number of geoparks in Norway is Sunnhordland UNESCO Global Geopark. The deep fjords, archipelagos with thousands of islands, and glacier-covered alpine mountains in Sunnhordland offer an astonishing abundance of rich and varied geology and flora and fauna.

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Cabo Ortegal UNESCO Global Geopark, Spain -

The addition of Cabo Ortegal UNESCO Global Geopark into the ranks of Spain's geoparks brings the country's total to an impressive 17. Situated in the north of A Coruña province in Galicia, this geopark features rock deposits from the depths of the Earth, some of which are 400 million years old. The region was once an important copper mining hub, though activity had largely ceased by the mid-1980s.

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Biokovo-Imotski Lakes UNESCO Global Geopark, Croatia -

Croatia's Biokovo-Imotski Lakes UNESCO Global Geopark sits at a unique intersection of Mediterranean and Central European landscapes and cultures. The area's natural wonders include the Blue Lake, renowned for its crystalline waters. It's the third geopark in the country to be recognized as such.

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South Fyn Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark, Denmark -

UNESCO describes Denmark's South Fyn Archipelago as a "drowned" Ice Age landscape, created by the dramatic rise in global water levels more than 10,000 years ago. The island of Ærø serves as a good base from which to explore the unique geological, natural, and cultural legacy of the region. South Fyn Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark is the third geopark designated for Denmark.

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Aras UNESCO Global Geopark, Iran -

Located in northwestern Iran at the southern end of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range, Aras UNESCO Global Geopark has made the list for its rich geodiversity and biodiversity, features exemplified by traces of the extinction event that occurred 252 million years ago that marks the Permian–Triassic Boundary, one of the most important events in the Earth's history. Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark also makes its debut in Iran, bringing the total in this country to three.

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Wangwushan-Daimeishan UNESCO Global Geopark, China -

The nation with the most UNESCO Global Geoparks is China, with 47. Numbering among these is Wangwushan-Daimeishan in Jiyuan, Henan province. The park records the evolution history of North China, the geology of which is more than 2.5 billion years old.

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Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, UK -

The United Kingdom has 10 geoparks to its name, including a transnational park that straddles the Republic of Ireland border—Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. Natural wonders here number the Marble Arch Caves and a peatland bog, which can be traversed by following the boardwalk trail known as the "Stairway to Heaven."

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Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark, Germany -

The Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark, located in the northwestern part of the Rhein Uplands, preserves and develops a fascinating geological heritage and volcanic landscape unparalleled in Western Europe. Germany numbers eight geoparks, including a transnational site shared with Poland.

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Kula-Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark, Turkey -

Currently the only one of its kind in Turkey, Kula-Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark is a geothermal wonder. The volcanic field showcases dozens of scoria cones, lava tubes, basalt columns, and hoodoos. Fossilized human footprints 10,000–12,000 years old have been discovered here, which bear witness to one of the oldest interactions recorded between humans and active volcanoes.

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Percé UNESCO Global Geopark, Canada -

One of five geoparks found in Canada, Percé UNESCO Global Geopark is often dubbed "Quebec by the sea." Visitors can explore geosites anchored by the majestic Percé Rock. They can also participate in hikes led by qualified guides to discover 500 million years of Earth's history.

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Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark, France -

France boasts nine geoparks, among them Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark, a remarkable natural landscape between Lac Leman and Mont Blanc, which has influenced the culture and geological heritage of the region for millennia.

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Madonie UNESCO Global Geopark, Italy -

One of 11 geoparks found in Italy, Madonie UNESCO Global Geopark is located in Sicily. The park occupies a large part of the province of Palermo and includes the territories of 15 towns. The region's geological history began over 220 million years ago.

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De Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark, Netherlands -

De Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark is one of two geoparks in the Netherlands. The other, Schelde Delta UNESCO Global Geopark, shares territory with Belgium. The Ice Age shaped the Hondsrug, and vestiges of Neanderthal communities have been unearthed here, things like flint tools and ancient animal bones.

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Açores UNESCO Global Geopark, Portugal -

Among Portugal's six geopark locations is Açores UNESCO Global Geopark. The Azores is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands set in the Atlantic Ocean. The park is, in fact, a network of 121 sites of geographic heritage and marine areas set across the islands representing a rich and varied geodiversity and unique ecosystems.

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Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark, Finland -

Five geoparks are located across Finland. Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark is named for the largest lake in Finland, the fourth largest in Europe. The geopark effectively tells the geological story of Saimaa; the lake itself was formed by glacial melting at the end of the Ice Age.

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Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, Iceland -

The land of ice and fire features two geoparks, Katla and Reykjanes. Katla UNESCO Global Geopark was Iceland's first geopark, and opened up a world of geology and culture. Its boundaries include two volcanoes, Katla and Eyjafjallajökull, the latter renowned for the disruption which its eruption in 2010 caused to European air travel.

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Bükk Region UNESCO Global Geopark, Hungary -

Bükk Region UNESCO Global Geopark, one of three in Hungary, including one shared with Slovakia, lies in one of the country's most complex geological environments. Shaped by periods of volcanic activity, the region is peppered by nearly 1,150 caves, over a quarter of all the caves in Hungary, including the Szeleta Cave, which was inhabited for 130,000 years and which gave the name to the Szeleta culture, according to UNESCO.

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Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Global Geopark, Czech Republic -

Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Global Geopark is currently the only geopark in the Czech Republic. It's one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country, the soaring and bizarre-looking rock pillars a geological phenomenon.

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Imbabura UNESCO Global Geopark, Ecuador -

Ecuador is another country presently blessed with a single geopark, Imbabura. This park is home to 11 volcanoes (Ecuador is home to 84 in total). The location is also characterized by lakes, waterfalls, geological faults, mines, archaeological remains, and a compelling cultural heritage.

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Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, Ireland -

Besides the transnational park mentioned earlier, Ireland can count three other geoparks, including Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. Set in County Clare, its boundary is marked to the west and north by the Atlantic coast, where the impressive Cliffs of Moher run for about nine miles (14 km).

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Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, Malaysia -

Malaysia lures geologists and nature lovers alike with two geoparks. One, Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, adds significant value to the existing ecotourism products in Sabah.

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Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark, South Korea -

Five geoparks feature in South Korea's geo-wonders portfolio. Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark is especially well known, appreciated for its exceptional beauty and volcanic veneer. Mount Hallasan is a central feature, complementing the 360 or so volcanic cones that are scattered throughout the island and off its coast.

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Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark, Tanzania -

Tanzania's only geopark is named for one of the most iconic volcanic craters in the world—Ngorongoro. The territory is also home to multiple ethnic groups, the Maasai being the most prominent.

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Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, Vietnam -

Three geoparks grace the land across Vietnam. Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark is especially appealing, given its visual splendor. The verdant landscape is textured with mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.

Sources: (UNESCO) (BBC) (Global Geoparks Network) 

See also: Facts about the environment that might surprise you

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